Steven Septer -- Mason City, Iowa

Steven Hugh Septer passed away Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017, at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, after a lengthy battle with glioblastoma.

Steve was born March 13, 1950, in Ida Grove, Iowa, to Hugh and Evelyn Septer. He graduated from Ida Grove High School, Iowa State University and University of Iowa Medical School. He moved to Mason City, Iowa, after finishing his medical training in 1979 and worked as an internist at North Iowa Mercy Medical Center until 2016.

Steve's greatest passions were his family and his patients. His greatest love was spending time with his wife, children and 10 grandchildren. Steve loved preparing meals for the family and his baking skills were appreciated by many. His favorite activities included woodworking, cycling, reading and traveling.

Steve was devoted to his patients for more than 35 years. He was known for the extra time he spent with each patient, and the relationships he developed with his patients and their families. He had the rare ability to make each of the thousands of patients he cared for feel they were the most important to him. Many of his closest friends were those he worked with and cared for at the hospital. He was known and loved for his compassion, kindness, generosity, strength, courage, gentleness and grace.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents, Hugh and Evelyn Septer; and his sister, Suzanne Baldwin.

He is survived by his wife, Carol Duerst-Septer; and children, Seth (Betsy) of Colorado Springs, Colo., Megan (Ryan) of Minneapolis, Caitlin (Paul) of Des Moines, Iowa, Natalie of Minneapolis, Nolan of Glenwood Springs, Colo., Quentin of Gunnison, Colo., Jonathan of New York City and Amanda (Rocky) of Las Vegas.

A celebration of life will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 12. at Rhythm Church, 21 8th Street SE, Mason City, with Father Ken Gehling officiating.