With great sadness, we announce the passing of a wonderful man. Steven George Roden passed away on September 4, 2023 at the age of 82, of complications from a battle with cancer. Steve wasn’t one to toot his own horn, so we will do it for him.

Steven was born to George Byard Roden and Regena Russell on July 22, 1941, in Los Angeles California.  He was the third of five children.  He spent his early years in California, but because of severe asthma, he came to Utah, and lived with family for a time.  His family moved back to Draper Utah, and Steven was reunited with his family.

As a child and throughout his life, he had many interests and hobbies. He always had a love of animals, especially birds, with parakeets, and pigeons being his favorite. As a young man he worked topping beets, gathering eggs, and cleaning chicken coops.

He attended Jordan High School, where he participated in choir and music.  It was at this time that his love for music blossomed. It was also the time when he started courting the love of his life, Dianne Smith. Their first date was to Steven’s seminary graduation.  Dianne waited for Steven while he served a  mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, in the North East British Mission, from 1961-1963. The last six months of his mission, he had the opportunity to sing in a quartet, called The Mormon Sons. They spent six months touring the British Isles, singing as a group. They had the opportunity to sing for the Queen of England.

When he returned, Steven and Dianne were married in the Salt Lake Temple on August 2, 1963. They recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. Together, they have raised 7 children.

He spent 25 years working for Mosler Safe Company. He installed and serviced alarms, vault doors, and security cameras in banks throughout Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming. In 1969 their young family was transferred to Alaska with Steven’s work. They spent three years there having wonderful experiences. Upon their return to Draper, he continued to work for Mosler. Dad always had great ideas and became an entrepreneur, starting a family business delivering wood and coal. The family would travel to Hiawatha Utah in their deuce and a half army truck to gather firewood. He branched off on his own, and started Steve’s Security Service. He was able to service a lot of the same clients that he had worked with while working with Mosler. Along with Steve’s Security Service, mom and dad decided to purchase an engraver and started an engraving business called Plastics Potpourri. They were able to stay busy engraving signs for the banks that dad was serving with the security business.

Mom and Dad instilled in their children, a very strong work ethic. He led by example, and was never idle. He was always planting something, fixing something, helping others, and learning. He fed many people with his beautiful gardens. He followed the example of the Savior, and was always serving his family, neighbors, and even strangers. He touched the lives of many, and loved serving his fellowman.

After retirement, Steven and Dianne served a mission at the LDS Conference Center, in Salt Lake City Utah, as hosts. They loved the eight years they served there, and they made many lifelong friends. He was a people person, and could talk to anyone about anything. He was a sincere and genuine man, and was a father figure to many.

He had a lifelong love of music, especially classical. He had a beautiful tenor voice, and was the founder of the Mapleton Chorale. Music brought him great comfort, especially in his final days here in mortality. Steve had a love for family history, and attended the temple several days a week. Steven loved the lord. He had a strong testimony and shared it often. He served in many callings for the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  He had a wonderful sense of humor and always kept us laughing, even while in the hospital before he passed.

He loved his country and was very patriotic. He attended basic training after he graduated high school.  He was proud to fly the American flag.

Steven loved his family, and was not afraid to let us know.  We received phone calls often, just to see how or what we were doing, and to let us know how much he loved us. He was kind and tender hearted, and would often cry as he bragged about his family to others. He adored his wife Dianne, and displayed his love for her daily.

Steven is survived by his wife, Dianne; and his seven children: Angie (Dennis) DeGraw, Russell (Shelley) Roden, Susan (Craig) Jensen, Valorie (Dirk) Seitz, Erika (Mark) Bell, Lindsey (Cody) O’Brien, Cameron (Brooke) Roden. He is also survived by 27 grandchildren, and 27 great grandchildren; and siblings: Janet Hunt, Phyllis (Howard) Smith, Paul (Pat) Roden. Preceded in death by his parents George and Regena Roden, granddaughter Shelby RuShelle Roden, brother Kenneth Roden, and many brother and sisters in law.

The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses who cared for Steven over the last six months. They would like to thank A Plus Hospice; and especially grandson Jordan and daughter Lindsey for the tender care in his final days.

Viewing will be held on Friday evening September 8, 2023 from 6:00 p.m.– 8:00 p.m. at Walker Funeral Home, 187 South Main Street, Spanish Fork, Utah. Funeral Services will be held Saturday, September 9, 2023 at the LDS Church (behind Payson Mt. View Hospital), 1138 East 100 South, Payson, Utah . Viewing from 9:00am to 10:30am. Funeral services begin at 11:00 a.m.  Interment will be held at Evergreen Cemetery, 1997 South 400 East, Springville, Utah.

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