Stephen Oliver Sherburne

Stephen Oliver Sherburne was born on February 21, 1943, in Waterloo, Iowa, the son of Robert and Jean (Stevenson) Sherburne. He graduated from West High School where he played football in 1961. After high school he attended the University of Northern Iowa and afterwards the Illinois School of Optometry in Chicago. After obtaining his license Stephen served in the United States Army as an optometrist and then had a private optometry practice in the Waterloo area and later concluded his career at Lens Crafters in 2011. He also had a regular column, “You and Eye" that appeared in an optometric magazine.

Stephen passed away on Monday June 2, 2025, at Pinnacle Specialty Care in Cedar Falls, Iowa at the age of 82. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Stephen is survived by his companion Joyce Sturgill; his children Robert (Leanne) Sherburne and Kate (Dennis) Kitzman; his grandchildren William Sherburne, Wesley Kitzman, and Daniel Kitzman; his brothers Alan (Nancy) Sherburne and Philip (Claudia) Sherburne and the mother of his children Pam Moore.

Stephen enjoyed gardening, and fishing at his family’s cabin in Minnesota. His family also remembers the yearly summer camping trips at various spots in Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. He was always up for a game of TIC, a card game that he played with his family. Stephen was also an avid fan of the University of Iowa women’s basketball team, especially during the Caitlin Clark era. Stephen was also a member of Cedar Valley Church in Waterloo and enjoyed dancing at the Electric Park Ballroom.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

Visitation: Tuesday June 10, 2025, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm at Katharine Graham Pahl Chapel, 3430 W 4th St. Waterloo, Iowa 50701

Memorial Service: Tuesday June 10, 2025, at 2:00 pm at Waterloo Katharine Graham Pahl Chapel, 3430 W 4th St. Waterloo, Iowa 50701

Burial: Waterloo Memorial Park Cemetery in Waterloo, Iowa