Stephanie Helen (Berg) Arnold Obituary (1979

Stephanie Helen (Berg) Arnold, 36, a Gig Harbor native and Renton resident, died peacefully August 8, 2015, in the love and care of her family after a 15-month battle with gastric cancer. Stephanie graduated from Gig Harbor High School in 1997 and went on to receive her BA from the University of Washington, where she was also an active part of the Alpha Delta Pi sorority. Upon graduation, Stephanie began a 7-year career as a software developer for IBM. The atmosphere of indoor work, endless meetings, and travel proved to be frustrating and confining. But ... she found a co-worker there who became her friend, confidant, and husband ... Chris. With Chris's encouragement, Stephanie went back to school and later earned an AAS of Horticultural Studies and Certificate of Landscape Design from South Seattle Community College. Working outdoors at Teufel Nursery in Kent fueled her love of gardening and the desire to someday own a small farm, where she dreamed of growing fruits and veggies to sell at a farmer's market. Steph will be remembered for many things. She was, as her husband Chris called her, "an awesome home and garden maker" at Outfield Farms, their 4-acre homestead. She was a phenomenal cook, a shrewd game player, a talented water-skier, and a seasoned traveler. Above all, we will remember her for how well and how deeply she loved her family and friends - especially her men, Chris and Kelby. Steph is survived by her husband, Chris; son, Kelby; doggie, Big Anthony; parents, Paul and Marcia Berg; sister, Melanie (James) Upchurch and their daughters Brynnlie and Kinsley; grandmothers Helen Berg and Dorothy Kuper; parents-in-law Bob and Carrie Arnold; sister-in-law, Jenny "Ant" Arnold; as well as several uncles, aunts and cousins. Stephanie was preceded in death by grandfathers, Frederick Kuper and Andy Berg; uncle, David Berg; doggie, Macgyver; and brother-in-law, Matthew Arnold. Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 14, 2015 at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Gig Harbor, WA, with viewing beginning at 10 am and services beginning at 12 noon, followed by a luncheon in the church hall. Donations in lieu of flowers may be sent to Seattle Cancer Care Alliance for Stomach Cancer Research, P.O. Box 19023, Seattle WA 98109-1023. Checks may be made payable to SCCA with indication that they are in memory of Stephanie (Berg) Arnold, or call (206) 288-2070 or (877) 308-3117 to make a donation by phone. ROAR! Seattle Cancer Care AllianceP.O. Box 19023, Seattle WA 98109-1023Tel: 1-877-308-3117Web: http://www.seattlecca.org