Harlen Delbert Stegman, 86, King City (Berlin), MO went to be with Jesus on January 1, 2025, surrounded by his loving family at the Saint Luke’s Hospital.
Harlen was born on the family farm in Berlin, Missouri on July 13, 1938, the son of Veron “Boone” and Hattie Stegman. Harlen lived in the Berlin, Missouri area his entire life. He attended the Grandview School until eighth grade where he was the last graduating class of that school. After eighth grade, he attended King City High School and Graduated in 1956.
He married Carolyn Toombs on April 19, 1957. They celebrated 67 years of marriage prior to her death on July 24, 2024. To that union were born two children, Leisa (Steve) Bryson and Todd (Lisa) Stegman, all of King City. They raised their children in the Berlin community on a farm where he raised many different kinds of livestock, but mainly sheep.
Harlen was a man of God and cherished his family. He was a lifetime member of the Mount Moriah Baptist Church where he served the Lord faithfully. Harlen was a deacon, Sunday school teacher, youth leader, and song leader. Harlen loved his family fiercely and he never let a member of his family leave without a hug and an “I love you.” To know Harlen was to know love, he loved like Jesus. He didn’t know a stranger. Harlen had a kind heart, an abundance of patience, and an unwavering faith. He was never afraid to show his emotions and tell you how much you meant to him.
Harlen worked with his son and built many buildings together through King City Lumber. He was a hard worker and a devoted family man. He enjoyed spending time with his family at Lake Viking at his daughter and son-in-law’s lake house where he enjoyed water skiing and many family dinners. He was a long member of the Berlin Cemetery Board. He also served on the King City School Board.
Harlen had many hobbies throughout his life. He loved to collect different items, was an avid gardener, and a huge sports fan. He loved the St. Louis Cardinals and the Kansas City Chiefs. The only time he was known to get upset was when his teams weren’t winning. Harlen was also a King City Wildkats fan as he and his son coached his grandson’s baseball team. He played fast-pitch and slow-pitch baseball and softball until he was in his fifties. Harlen also enjoyed refereeing high school football games.
Other hobbies of his were coon hunting and spending time with his beloved dog, Bella. He enjoyed listening to and singing country and gospel music. He also enjoyed camping and playing games like pitch and checkers. He took many camping trips with his wife and family and attended many Bluegrass festivals. Harlen also loved to ride horses and loved his horse, Ginger. The two of them rode many miles together.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn; parents, Veron and Hattie Stegman; brother, Donnie Ray Stegman, and daughter, Leisa Bryson.
Harlen is survived by his son, Todd (Lisa) Stegman, King City, MO; grandchildren, Andrea (Ryan) Hodge, Union Star, MO, Adrianne Hume, Stanberry, MO, Mariah (Jeff) Maudlin, Union Star, MO, and Garrett Stegman, King City, MO; great grandchildren, Carter, Zachary, and Harper Hodge, Mackenzie (Chase) McCormick, Peyton and Bryson Hume, Harlen and Hayden Maudlin, and Ruby and Rowan Stegman; brother, Tommy Stegman; brothers and sisters-in-law, Max and Maxie Tunks, Don and Carolyn Toombs, Wayne and Dixie Propheter, and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 8 at the First Baptist Church, King City, MO under the direction of Roberson Funeral Home, King City, MO.
Burial will follow in Berlin Cemetery, King City, MO. The family will receive friends from 1:00-2:00 p.m. Wednesday at the church.
