Minnesota pastor dies after injury aboard Sun Princess
Steve Junker, 58, was injured during his son’s wedding celebration on a cruise ship in Italy.
Pastor Steve Junker of Chippewa Lutheran Church in Brandon, Minnesota, died Sept. 4 after suffering a cervical spinal cord injury and nearly drowning aboard the Sun Princess. He was 58.
Junker fell into a swimming pool on Aug. 16 while celebrating his son’s wedding. He was reportedly found face down and unresponsive before the Italian coast guard transported him to an intensive care unit in Naples.
A family fundraiser said Junker was unable to breathe independently and was diagnosed as quadriplegic following the injury. He underwent emergency spinal surgery in Italy before being flown to the United States.
According to Elizabeth Junker, he was transferred to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, on Aug. 23 and remained under treatment there until his death. He died surrounded by family and friends.