Steven J. Kotula

WILLISTON, Vt. -- Steven John Kotula, 48, formerly of Brainerd, died Sunday, April 4, 2004, at the Vermont Respite House in Williston, Vt. He was born Feb. 10, 1956, in Riverside, Calif., the son of Dr. Thomas and Bette (Spaeth) Kotula. Steven did his undergraduate work at the University of Minnesota, graduating in 1978. He completed his graduate studies at William Mitchell Law College in St. Paul, Minn., graduating in 1995.

He married Rebecca Harris in Teton Park, Moose, Wyo., on May 27, 1989.

Steven worked in the manufacturing process engineering field from 1978 to 1994. In 1984 and 1985, he designed, built and patented a sport aircraft made almost entirely of graphite, which he named the "Graflite." The past two years, he was a patent attorney for the Husky Corp. in Milton, Vt.

He was a very active member of St. Jacob's Orthodox Church in Northfield Falls, Vt., where he also was the parish council president. He enjoyed fishing, hiking, camping, skiing and spending time with his family.

Survivors include his wife, Rebecca of Essex Junction, Vt.; his parents, Dr. Thomas and Bette Kotula of Brainerd; a daughter, Mary Kotula of Essex Junction; twin sons, John and Peter Kotula of Essex Junction, Vt.; two sisters, Cathy Dens and her husband, Dr. Kevin Dens, of Brainerd, Cindy Roggenkamp and her husband, Tim, of Nisswa; a brother, David Kotula and his wife, Nancy, of Minnetonka; godparents, Marc and Deborah Chagnon of Crystal; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be held Tuesday, April 6, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Kingston Funeral Home, 35 Slate Ave., Northfield, Vt., followed by a memorial service at 8 p.m. in St. Jacob's Orthodox Church on Route 12, Northfield Falls, Vt. The funeral service will be conducted Wednesday, April 7, at 10 a.m., also at St. Jacob's Orthodox Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to St. Jacob's Orthodox Church Capital Campaign Fund, P.O. Box 353, Northfield Falls, Vt. 05664.