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Stephanie Ann (Tarras) Meyer, 65, Lake Benton died Friday, June 27, 2025 at her home.
A Celebration of Life will be held July 19, 2025 from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. at the Hole in the Mountain Park Chalet in Lake Benton.
Stephanie Ann Meyer was born on May 17, 1960, in Windom, Minn., to Bernard and Sandra Jean (Munson) Tarras. She was the first of four children and grew up in Pipestone, Minn., where her early life was filled with creativity, curiosity, and connection to nature. She adored animals—especially snakes—and loved rock hunting and exploring the outdoors. She took part in Girl Scouts and spent many summers performing in the Hiawatha Pageant with her family. Stephanie attended St. Leo Catholic Church, where she was confirmed.
She graduated from Pipestone High School in 1978, where she played the flute in the school band and worked at local businesses like the A&W drive-in and the Pipestone Country Club. Around that time, she met Dean Meyer while he was working on her father’s home. Their connection was immediate, they soon married, and moved to Alexandria, Minn., where Stephanie studied Graphic Design at Alexandria Technical College. After completing her studies, they returned to the Pipestone area and settled on an acreage near Verdi, Minn. It was there she raised two children, built a home brimming with warmth and hospitality, cherished a menagerie of animals, including her dear peacocks, and hosted many open-armed gatherings and parties. She enjoyed fun times and a band of great friends during that era; sharing favorite tunes, Harley road trips, and fishing excursions together. She often reminisced of that time, for those friends and memories remained precious to her, recalling it as one of the best times in her life.
Stephanie was a talented artist, well known for painting local signs—including a prominent Pepsi logo for the local bottling company—and for her beautifully crafted floral arrangements and wreaths, nature drawings and paintings, and cute embroidery and crochet gifts. She also worked as a cook in several area restaurants, including the celebrated Edgewood Bluff in Lake Benton. Her meals developed a following, with customers often tracking her down when she moved restaurants. Her dishes were as memorable as her personality—bright, bold, and full of love.
The seed of greenhouse work was planted in the later 90s when she began working for Iott’s Greenhouse, in Ward, S.D. After parting ways with Dean in 2000, she moved from the acreage to Lake Benton. She continued to spread her enthusiastic charm, generosity, and warmth in her new surroundings, and began working at the Runnings greenhouse in 2003. Stephanie found a perfect outlet for her passion for plants when she began working there. Customers admired not only her deep knowledge of gardening, but her radiant personality and kindness. Even after leaving Runnings, people continued to seek her out for plant advice. In 2004, she met her soulmate, Paul Nordmeyer. The two built a beautiful life together on Paul’s acreage near Lake Benton, where they shared 21 wonderful years filled with adoration, laughter, devotion, and a mutual passion for gardening and the outdoors. Stephanie especially enjoyed spotting rare birds and animals on the farm or during their scenic rides around the lake. Her love for animals was boundless—she even welcomed a pair of opossums into her garage alongside her treasured crew of cats.
Together, Stephanie and Paul hosted the Hedoka Knap-In each August as part of Benton-Fremont Days, a celebration that brought joy to Stephanie’s heart. She open-heartedly welcomed the knappers, and treated them like family. She looked forward to the festival each year and prepared a grand welcome dinner packed full of her culinary specialties. Her cooking, warmth, and generosity made her a cherished figure at the event, and she was thrilled when artists gifted her arrowheads, rocks, jewelry, and trinkets in appreciation. The couple continued organizing the Knap-In until 2012.
Thereafter, Stephanie focused on taking care of her home, animals, gardens, and fun projects. She made artificial arrangements for Bolt’s local grocery store, pouring her creativity and care into every design. Not only did she design the arrangements for enjoyment, but as the perfect excuse to go see her adored grocery store buddies.
Stephanie had a heart full of love and sunshine, and it knew no bounds. She was gifted with a passion for making others feel seen, loved, and appreciated, even if she was facing her own difficult times. Her smile lit up every room, and her hugs and “I love you’s” were abundant and sincere—even if they made people blush. Steph brought comfort, laughter, and affection to everyone and anyone around her. Her signature sparkle left a lasting impression on all, and her light will shine through all the lives she touched. It will glisten on the dew of every blossom she grew, burst out of the flavors in her favorite recipes, tell you what you need to hear through the music she so unashamedly blared, and show you peace and guidance in her handwritten notes. Stephanie was rich with color, kindness, and creativity. She will be forever missed, loved, and remembered.
Stephanie is lovingly remembered by her devoted partner of 21 years, Paul Nordmeyer of Lake Benton, Minn.; her daughters, Sarah (Scott) Meyer of Lake Benton, Minn., and Jessica (Josh) Gums of Lake Benton, Minn.; her stepdaughters, Misty Bootsma of Hardwick, Minn., Emma Nordmeyer of St. Cloud, Minn., Sonia Nordmeyer of Denver, Colo., and Elizabeth Miller of Rice, Minn.; her brother, Mark (Dawn) Tarras, Lake Elmo, Minn.; her sister, Cindy (Rick) Kramer of Hector, Minn.; her cherished grandchildren, Sabrina, Daymia, Jasper, James, Jack, Johnny, Chloe, Aiden, Avery, Gage, and Sydney; her beloved nephews and nieces, many friends, her six adoring cats, and very special friend and confidant, Janine Schaap.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Bernie and Sandy Tarras; sister, Jennifer, and baby Meyer (1981).
(Hartquist Funeral Home)