Stephanie Jean Prem

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Prem, Stephanie Jean Age 61 of Minneapolis, passed away peacefully at home on September 18, 2014. Survived by parents Dr. Konald and Phyllis Prem, siblings Mary Kristen Francis and Tim (Laurie) Prem, husband Tom Owens, daughter Caroline Owens, son Charley Owens, and special niece Genevievre Broche. Stephanie was born in Minneapolis, raised in Edina and graduated from St. Margaret's Academy (now Benilde-St. Margaret's). She attended the University of San Francisco, where she graduated cum laude in psychology in 1974. She returned to Minnesota to attend the University of Minnesota Law School, where she earned a JD, cum laude, in 1980. Stephanie and Tom met at the Law School in the fall of 1977, sitting three seats apart in Professor Marshall's Torts class. They were married on September 13, 1980, at Our Lady of Victory Chapel at St. Catherine University. Stephanie began her career as an estate-planning, probate and trust lawyer at Robins, Davis & Lyons (now Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi). She followed her mentor, Sidney Kaplan, to Mackall, Crounse & Moore, where she became a partner. She also distinguished herself by helping the firm acquire and mount an impressive art collection. Stephanie's last career move was in 1991, when she joined Norwest Capital Advisors, an investment management firm for high net-worth families and part of Norwest Corporation (now Wells Fargo). Her background was ideal for the firm's emphasis on integrating tax, gift and estate planning. As a Principal at the firm, she worked closely with more than two dozen families, and many of her rewarding professional relationships extended well over a decade. As Chief Marketing Officer for ten years, she led the successful re-branding to "Lowry Hill" in the early 1990s and handled all aspects of marketing the firm in the Twin Cities, Naples and Phoenix. The firm is now known as Abbot Downing. In the 1990s and again for its renovated offices in 2013, Stephanie helped the firm assemble an exceptional art collection. Community service was a hallmark of Stephanie's life. She served as a board member of the Minnesota Division of the American Cancer Society, Hennepin County Library Foundation, Illusion Theater, James Sewell Ballet, the Colleagues Advisory Board of the Weisman Art Museum and Minnesota Opera. Stephanie was well known for "rolling up her sleeves" and getting things done. Her smile could warm anyone's heart. She was elegant, charming and intelligent, her presence reassuring and calming, yet her grit unfailing. She showed remarkable forbearance and determination each day of her life. While cancer eventually extinguished her sparkling being, she was truly the victor by extending her life five years beyond diagnosis and well beyond expectation. The family wishes to express its heartfelt gratitude to Drs. Greeno, Jensen and Madoff and the nurses and staff of the Masonic Cancer Center, as well as all of Fairview Hospice, for their outstanding care of our beloved Stephanie. In fulfillment of Stephanie's wishes, her memorial service will be held in Minneapolis at Lakewood Memorial Chapel, with indoor and outdoor seating, at 1:00 pm on Saturday, September 27; reception to follow at Lakewood Garden Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred in Stephanie's honor to Minnesota Opera, Masonic Cancer Center at the University of Minnesota, Fairview Hospice, or donor's choice. Washburn-McReavy.com Edina Chapel 952-920-3996

Published on September 24, 2014