Stephen Leonard Vandal, 56, of Jamestown, ND, passed away Sunday, November 3, 2024 in the comfort of his home, following a fierce battle with cancer. Steve had a reputation for his quiet faith, friendly smile, sense of humor, work ethic, humility, and his courage, especially throughout his last months on earth.
Stephen Vandal was born August 19, 1968, in Bottineau, ND, the son of Norman and Shirley (Houle) Vandal. Steve received his education and graduated from Bottineau High School in 1986 where he participated in FFA, football, track, and power lifting. He was also an altar server at his parish in Bottineau. Steve enlisted in the US Army in 1986 as a combat engineer where he specialized as a Multiple Launch Rocket System Crewmember. He attended Basic Training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Over the course of his service, Steve was stationed in Ft. Polk, Louisiana and Seoul, South Korea. Steve was honorably discharged in 1990. He also served in the North Dakota Army National Guard for three years. While he was in the Guards, Steve took classes at NDSU Bottineau and then at the Fargo campus.
He married Peggy Kramer of Dickey, ND on June 10, 1994 at Transfiguration Church in Edgeley, ND. They moved to Dubuque, Iowa to open an ABC Seamless Siding Franchise. After seven and a half years, they returned to North Dakota and eventually purchased a home in Jamestown to raise their family. Steve then opened his business, Five Star Construction, where he completed numerous home remodeling projects over the years. He served in different leadership positions in Jamestown throughout his lifetime, including School Board President at St. John’s Academy and Grand Knight for the Knights of Columbus Council 1883.
During his leisure time, Steve enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, watching Bluejay/Jimmie football games, listening to diverse genres of music, playing card and board games, and spending time with his grandchildren. He was a member of St. James Catholic Church and built several pieces of sacred furniture for the church sanctuary. Steve donated additional time to the church and school when there were construction and building needs.
Steve is survived by his wife, Peggy – Jamestown; daughter Jessica (Joe) Angstman – Mandan; son Paul – Jamestown; two grandchildren, Benjamin and Claire; parents Norman and Shirley – Fargo; six siblings, Matthew (Carrie) – Perth; Mark (Sheila) – Minto; Michelle (Gerard) – Billings, MT; Suzanne – Willmar, MN; Lawrence (Heidi) – Barnesville, MN, and James (Sheri) – Menoken; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his unborn child, “Joe” Vandal (1999).
Mass of Christian Burial: 1:30 p.m., Friday, November 8, 2024 at St. James Basilica, Jamestown, ND.
Visitation: 2:00 p.m.to 7:00p.m., Thursday, November 7, 2024 at St. James Basilica.
Prayer Service: 7:00 p.m., Thursday, November 7, 2024 at St. James Basilica.
Interment: Calvary Cemetery, Jamestown.
Memorials: St. John’s Academy and St. James Basilica