Stephen Kenneth Salvesen

Stephen Kenneth Salvesen passed away suddenly on Thursday, January 23, 2025. He was the loving husband and soul mate of Carol (Frels) Salvesen, father of Sarah Salvesen Mills and John Salvesen, loving father-in-law of Jon Mills and doting grandfather of Jaxson and Parker Mills.

Steve was born in Staten Island, New York, on June 18, 1952. He lost his mother, Irene, to cancer at the young age of 16. Steve attended Texas Lutheran College where he met and proposed to Carol Frels. After graduating from TLC, they moved to Columbus, Ohio, where he attended Lutheran Theological Seminary. In 1979, he was ordained as a Lutheran minister and became a pastor at Peace Lutheran Church in Gahanna, Ohio. 

In 1981, Steve and Carol moved to Waco, Texas where Steve led the mission church, Lutheran Church of China Spring, outside Waco. His in-laws Pat and Larry Frels, and Diane and Judy Frels were thrilled to have them back home. In 1989, Steve obtained his teaching certificate and began teaching fifth grade. It was the beginning of a long career spanning over 30 years, dedicated to teaching, mentoring and helping young people in Waco find their way in the world. He taught in the La Vega school district and at Lake Waco Montessori School. 

Steve and Carol attended CrossTies Ecumenical Church from its earliest days, and in 1999, Carol, with Steve’s steadfast support, helped to found Talitha Koum Institute, a mental-health childcare center, serving the neediest in Waco. Steve was a frequent handyman in service at TKI. Steve and Carol joined Lake Shore Baptist Church where in recent years, Steve took on maintenance responsibilities for the structure and grounds. He was active in the church, its choir and its Sunday School, where he was part of a strong community committed to the social justice issues he cared so much about. 

Steve was an involved community member in ways large and small around Waco. He represented the Democratic party at state conferences, regularly served tea at the CrossTies Gospel Cafe, tutored after retiring from full-time teaching, and helped many individuals in the community. Anyone who needed a hand, Steve was often there first, quietly taking care, always with a warm smile. 

Steve was a loyal Cowboys fan, through thick and the many “thin” years recently. 

Steve is survived by siblings Nancy Sullivan (Paul), Judy Pfister (Matt), Karen Savacool (Jimmy), David Salvesen (Kathy), and Linda Wright (Pete) and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by sisters- and brothers-in-law Diane Frels, Ray Dunn , Judy Frels and Lou Cantolupo. He is pre-deceased by mother Irene and father Ken Salvesen and parents-in-law Patricia and Lawrence Frels.

He was the best man many of us knew; his absence will be profound. 

A service will be held at 1pm on Friday, January 31 at Lake Shore Baptist Church, Waco, Texas with a reception to follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Steve’s memory to Talitha Koum Institute, talithakoum.org/donate.