A pastor from Elbow Lake, Minnesota, tragically passed away following a serious spinal cord injury he sustained during a cruise in Italy that was intended to celebrate his son’s wedding.
Steve Junker was on the Sun Princess on August 16 when he experienced a fall. Family members shared that he was later discovered face down and unresponsive in a pool, as detailed on a GoFundMe page set up to assist with expenses.
Princess Cruises acknowledged Junker’s death in a statement expressing their sorrow. They offered heartfelt condolences to his family and friends during this profoundly difficult time.
According to the cruise line, crew members were notified on August 16 that a passenger was in need of urgent medical help. They reported that after receiving initial care from the ship’s medical team, he was then transferred ashore for further treatment.
Sadly, Junker’s family shared that the accident led to a spinal cord injury and he nearly drowned. He was transferred via an Italian Coast Guard boat to a hospital in Naples, where he was placed in the intensive care unit.
Following the incident, he underwent emergency spinal surgery the next day, which, while deemed successful, did not alleviate the severity of his injury.
While Junker was in the hospital, his family encountered difficulties managing his medical situation in a foreign country. They were also working on arrangements to have him transported to a hospital back in the United States. Before his passing, they noted the struggle with various medical, logistical, and financial challenges associated with this process.
Eventually, he was transported to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, on August 23 for additional medical care. The family expressed their gratitude for all the prayers and support they received during this trying time.
Unfortunately, Junker passed away on September 4, surrounded by loved ones, as his family shared on Facebook. The pastor was remembered fondly by his church community for the depth of his faith and the positive impact he made on those around him.
Chippewa Lutheran Church reflected on his legacy, stating, “Pastor Steve was a wonderful person, loved by many, and had a great impact on many people through his faith.” A heartfelt tribute from his son, Nathaniel Junker, noted that while Steve closed his eyes on this life, he opened them to Jesus.
Sympathies poured in from friends and community members, with one mourner expressing, “May God bring comfort for all who loved and care for Pastor Steve Junker. I’m so sorry for your loss.” An obituary highlighted his journey from being a pharmacist to answering a call to ministry, leaving behind a wife, five children and their spouses, a grandchild, and a wide network of family and friends.
