A Minnesota pastor died on September 4, weeks after sustaining a severe spinal cord injury in a pool accident on a luxury cruise ship while celebrating his son's wedding. Stephen Junker, 58, was found unresponsive and face down in a pool on the Sun Princess vessel off the Italian coast on August 11.
The Italian Coast Guard transported Junker to a hospital in Naples, where he underwent emergency spinal surgery on August 17 to address pressure on his spinal cord and stabilize his neck. The injury, however, left him quadriplegic and reliant on a ventilator.
Junker's family arranged for him to be flown back to the United States, and he was admitted to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, on August 23 for further treatment. He passed away on September 4, surrounded by his family.
"Further diagnostic testing had revealed injuries that were not treatable," his daughter Elizabeth wrote on a GoFundMe page established to support the family. "At 6:33 PM today, Steve went to be with Jesus. He was surrounded by his wife, children, parents, and friends."
Junker's family expressed gratitude for the care he received, stating they were able to provide him with world-class treatment. "We’re glad we were able to give him the opportunity to receive world-class care and reassured that everything that could possibly be done to help him was done," she added.
Junker, who served as pastor of Chippewa Lutheran Church in Brandon, Minnesota, for nearly a decade, is remembered for his animated sermons and willingness to help others. He is survived by his wife, five children and their spouses, a grandson, his parents, and his sister.