Steven Adams
August 2, 1943 ~ March 25, 2026
Steven Raye Adams age 82, of Mount Vernon, Iowa, passed away at The Views of Marion, March 25, 2026, after slowly declining over ten years from Alzheimers disease.
Steve’s brain will be used for Alzheimers research at UIHC. The family will gather in May to celebrate Steves life. Steve was born in 1943 to Ernestine and Garland Adams. He graduated from Dyer High School in Dyer, Indiana, where he played basketball, football, and was editor of the school newspaper. He received his bachelor’s degree in English from Indiana State University and earned his master’s degree in English at Valparaiso University. Steve met a fellow student, Paula Bloomer, through his job at the library on campus. Steve and Paula were married in 1967. Steve taught English at Crown Point, Indiana, for four years. They set out to explore New England in 1970, settling in West Woodstock, Vermont. He taught English at the Union School for six years before becoming a Uniserv Director for the state.
Steve and Paula welcomed two daughters, Polly and Emily, both delivered during February snowstorms. While not teaching, he worked at the Woodstock Country Club as a ground’s keeper in summers and as a cross-country ski instructor during winters. In 1980, he became a Uniserv Director for ISEA (Iowa State Education Association) and settled in Mount Vernon, Iowa. He was employed with ISEA for 25 years negotiating teachers contracts and mediating disputes.
In retirement he spent most of his time reading non-fiction, playing golf, hiking, biking, traveling, camping, canoeing and kayaking with family and friends. He particularly enjoyed his Wednesday coffee group with fellow retired teachers. Christmas gatherings were extra special by Steve making his homemade cinnamon swirl and whole wheat bread. Steve believed he was “rich in daughters” lyrics from a favorite Greg Brown song. He would often sing this song while smiling lovingly to his daughters. His big smiles, warm hugs, and love pats are greatly cherished.
Steve is survived by his wife, Paula; daughters, Polly (Mike) Downs and Emily (Dana) Vig; and grandchildren, Ella and Lily Downs, Ryan and Renee Vig.
Memorial gifts may be directed to Patty Ankrum’s Prairie Legacy at www.inhf.org/patty-ankrum to support his love of nature.
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Steve was a very kind man and a wonderful neighbor. The gang who comprised the Hillcrest Heights community was close knit and shared some great times.
Rest easy Steve. You will be missed.
Mary Jane McWilliams
We will miss Steve, a good man in every sense….honest, caring, considerate, and with a wonderful wry sense of humor. And he was a great golf partner.
Steve &I were very long time best friends since 7th grade, HS and college. We stood up up to each others wedding also became teachers. I’ll truly miss my dearest friend. I sincerely wish Paula, Emily and Polly and of course grand children my deeply condolences.
I worked with Steve at ISEA for several years. He was a great coworker and friend! My sincere sympathy to Paula and family!
My deepest sympathies to Steve’s family. I worked with him at ISEA in both North Liberty and Cedar Rapids office. He had a funny sense of humor, was a good friend and I enjoyed the years we worked together.
I was a colleague of Steve’s at ISEA. He taught me a lot. Steve was a warrior for educators. He He knew when to compromise and when to confront. I loved his sense of humor but also his ability to bargain the toughest of issues. I will remember Steve as a good friend and a great mentor.