Leo Stephan, father, grandfather and well-respected Athabascan Native leader passed away at Providence Hospital on May 28, 2023. He was 93 years old and a lifelong Alaskan. He was born in Eklutna Village to George and Mary Elizabeth Stephan. Leo was the grandson of the last chief of Upper Cook Inlet, Simeon Ezi.

Leo was a commercial fisherman, auto mechanic, then executive and board member. He worked for many years for the City of Anchorage was a board member and President of Eklutna, Inc. and a board member of Cook Inlet Region, Inc.

Well respected as a fisherman and hunter he taught at the Native Village of Eklutna culture camps. He was a skilled hunter and trapper. For many years he lived a subsistence lifestyle and always preferred moose and fish. Later in life he enjoyed sports fishing and camping.

Leo is survived by his sons Lee, Lester & Lewis Stephan, daughters Gloria Lorah, Mary Charmley, Angela Waskey and Raven Stephan. Also surviving are 16 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren, several nephews and nieces. Leo was preceded in death by his wife Alberta, sisters Sophie Prokopeuff & Irene McMillan, brother Steve Oskolkoff, sons Leon, Lenny & Leonard, daughters Susie Rush, Robbin Cooks and Connie Stephan.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons Dustin Lorah, Guy Stephan, Thomas Lorah, Jacob Stephan, Jordon Wilde-Stephan, and Michael Saam.

Services will be conducted by Father Timothy Kolb at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Eklutna Village on Friday, June 2, 2023. Visitation at 11 am, services at noon with burial after. Potlatch will be held at the picnic grounds below Leo’s house.

The family wishes to thank Providence Hospital’s ER nurses, the 5N medical staff and Dr. Augdahl. Special thanks to Leo’s friend and home visiting nurse Wayne Christiansen.