age 59, a lifelong resident of Rosemount

Steven Bruce Toombs, age 59, a lifelong resident of Rosemount, died suddenly at home on Saturday, March 8, 2008.

Steve was born on July 16, 1948 in Fort Warren in Cheyenne , Wyoming , the son of Robert G. and Betty (Rock) Toombs. He attended St. Joseph 's Parochial School in Rosemount, St. John's Prep School in Collegeville, and graduated from Rosemount High School in 1966. After high school, he had worked at Northwest Airlines as a baggage handler.

Steve married Sandra M. Spillman on September 20, 1975 at the First English Lutheran Church in Cannon Falls . They took a 30-day European honeymoon! They settled in West St. Paul , later moving to Rosemount in 1977. Steve was the third generation of Toombs associated with the First State Bank of Rosemount, where he was a loan officer. He was also a partner with Toombs Insurance Agency.

They became parents of two children, Adam in 1983 and Laura in 1989, through adventures in adoption. He was proud of his daughter's Peruvian heritage!

In 2005, they became grandparents of Autumn Rose, the apple of grandpa's eye!

Earlier in life, Steve enjoyed karate, and he taught snowmobile safety. He enjoyed following his son's Navy career, traveling (particularly the North Shore ), collector cars, World War II history, bagpipe music, Lipton Iced Tea, a good joke, and a good sauerkraut pizza. He was very active in supporting his community, and enjoyed family genealogy and the community history.

Steve's joyful, strong will gave him strength in the challenges he faced. He found tremendous comfort, guidance, and hope in his church.

He will be lovingly missed by his wife of over 32 years, Sandy Spillman of Rosemount; son, Adam (Becca) Toombs of Silverdale, WA; daughter, Laura Toombs of Rosemount; granddaugher, Autumn Rose; mother, Betty Toombs of Rosemount; sisters, Judy (John) Wiederhold and Sue Strese, all of Rosemount, and Abbie Schmidt of Spooner, WI; brother-in-law, Don (Cathy) Spillman of Orange Park, FL; uncle and aunt, David and Barb Toombs of Rosemount; and nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father, Robert in 1999; brothers-in-law, Jim Strese and Mike Schmidt; and nephew, Michael Schmidt.

Funeral service will be held on Wednesday, March 12, at 11:00 a.m. at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church , 12650 Johnny Cake Ridge Road in Apple Valley , with Pastor Paul Harrington and Pastor Randy Brandt officiating.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 11, from 5-8 p.m. AT THE CHURCH. There will also be visitation on Wednesday from 10-11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to donor's choice.

Active pallbearers will be Bill Broback, Gary Hagemeister, Mike Toombs, John Wiederhold, Don Spillman and Pat Geagan. Honorary pallbearers will be Harland and Vicki Vanduyn, Mike and Maureen Bouchard, Sue Geagan, and Regi McNearney.

Arrangements by Lundberg Funeral Home in Cannon Falls. On-line condolences may be directed to www.lundbergfuneral.com.