Minnesota Pastor Dies After Spinal Injury Aboard Sun Princess
After emergency spinal surgery in Naples on August 17, Junker arrived at Mayo Clinic in Rochester on August 23 for further treatment arranged by his family.
Updated September 23, 2026
Minnesota pastor Stephen Junker, 58, died Sept. 4 after suffering a severe spinal cord injury aboard Sun Princess off Italy. Junker fell and nearly drowned on Aug. 16 while traveling for his son’s onboard wedding. He was found face down and unresponsive in a pool. How the fall occurred has not been reported.
The Italian Coast Guard transported Junker by boat to a hospital in Naples. The injury left him quadriplegic and dependent on a ventilator. His family later arranged his return to Minnesota for further treatment at Mayo Clinic in Rochester.
A GoFundMe was established to help cover the family’s expenses and raised nearly $37,000.
Emergency treatment in Italy and Minnesota
Junker underwent emergency spinal surgery in Naples on Aug. 17. The operation reduced pressure on his spinal cord and stabilized his condition, but he remained unable to move or breathe independently.
He arrived at Mayo Clinic on Aug. 23. While there, Junker communicated with his family through head nods and facial expressions. He died surrounded by family and friends, his daughter Elizabeth wrote in an update to the fundraising page.
“Further diagnostic testing had revealed injuries that were not treatable,” she wrote. “We’re glad we were able to give him the opportunity to receive world-class care and reassured that everything that could possibly be done to help him was done.”
Church remembers longtime pastor
Junker began his professional career as a pharmacist after graduating from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. He later earned a Master of Divinity from Lutheran Brethren Seminary in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, and became an ordained minister.
He served for nearly a decade as pastor of Chippewa Lutheran Church in Brandon, Minnesota. His obituary recalled his animated sermons, wide-ranging conversations and willingness to help others. His funeral was later held at the church.
“Pastor Steve was a wonderful person, loved by many, and had a great impact on many people through his faith,” his wife, Jeanine Junker, said in a statement shared by the church.
Junker and his wife married in 1992 and had five children. He is also survived by their spouses, a grandson, his parents and his sister.
