Obituary of Stephanie Rose Tuma

Stephanie Rose Tuma, 43, of Northfield, Minnesota, died naturally on 9/14/2024 from just being too awesome.  Diagnosed with HNPCC in her mid 20’s, she knew her life was likely to be short and she lived, loved and helped others with magnitude.  She was adamant about no funeral and a funny obituary, which is especially challenging since she was the funnier sister. 

Stephanie was a published poet at 16 and had a sharp wit.  She often used it to express her immense disdain for the Dave Mathew’s Band. She graduated from Northfield High School and went on to study English at Gustavus Adolphus where she met many of her life long friends.  She worked in health care communications at BCBS and UHG for most of her career. During this period of her life, she gathered more people who laughed at her jokes and filled her heart and life with joy.  

Stephanie is survived by her sister Nicole Tuma (Dave Cornell), niece Lily, nephews Max and Finn, aunts, uncles, and a whole lot of cousins that were like siblings and an even bigger circle of friends that became family, including Emily. Grandma Tuma even gave Emily snack nuts. 

She is preceded in death by her grandparents Ross and Virginia Stickley and Charles and Delores Tuma, parents, Dennis and Lee and her sister Jennifer.  

There will be a celebration of life at her sister’s house on September 21. Contact a friend or family member for more information.

A relentless advocate for rights for all, memorials are preferred to flowers (or lasagna) and can be made to the Human Rights Campaign, the ACLU or the Northfield MN Community Action Center.

Stephanie would never let you down, make you cry, run around or desert you.  She was the best.