Edmond, Norton & State Sanitarium
4/19/1888 – 10/5/1968
He was born April 19, 1888 at Abilene, son of Joseph and Frances Stephenson, he attended high school at Fredonia and was graduated from Fredonia Business College in 1906; he then worked and taught school and attended Hays Teacher’s College, graduating in 1915. He entered Kansas Medical School in 1917 and enlisted in Medical Reserve and served in active duty in S, A. T.C. during World War I.
In September 1917 Dr. Steve was married to Grace Cockrum of Luray, and they were parents of two daughters, Francis and Corine. In 1950 he married Juanita Petterf.
He was graduated from the K.U. Medical School in June 1924 and came to Edmond. He moved to Norton in August 1926 and was associated with Dr. W. C. Lathrop. In his medical profession he had the honor of being a member, secretary, counselor and president of the Northwest Kansas Medical Society, also member of the A.M. A. During his practice, it was his privilege to give the first blood transfusion and spinal anesthetic ever given in the Norton County Hospital. He also served on the staff of the Norton State Sanatorium.
He was extremely interested in reclamation and had spearheaded the Republican Valley Conservation service to procure a dam on the Prairie Dog Creek. On December 7, 1965 he was given the service award by the Republican Valley conservation for his 25 years of service and dedication to the work.
Norton Telegram, 9/24/1958—Dr. Walter Stephenson, after nearly 35 years of medical practice, has announced the closing of his downtown office, he is not retiring but will see patients at his home and will remain on the staff at the State Sanatorium as anesthesiologist.
Much of his equipment has been sent to Warp’s Pioneer Village at Minden, Nebraska., where it will be fitted into the medical history exhibits. He donated his Roentgen meter to the physic department at Fort Hays Kansas State College, It is a device used in X-ray work or to measure any radiation. The filing cabinets and library table in his office have been turned over to the Norton Girl Scout organization for use in the Scout Cabin at Elmwood Park.
In addition to fishing and relaxing, Doc Steve, is likely to continue devoting time to the promotion of the Norton Dam. In 1933 he built a lake of his own by putting a dam on Spring Creek in Graham County, northeast of Hill City, Steve’s lake has been a popular fishing spot in the area ever since.
Dr. Stephenson died at his home of a coronary heart attack, October 5, 1968, he was preceded by his parents and one sister Mrs. Gordie Penney. Survivors include his wife Juanita, his two daughters, FrancisWilson and Corine Robbins, his step-daughter Mary Katherine Loy and ten grandchildren, as well as four brothers , Elmer, Leslie, Herman and Bert.