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Pastor dies after severe spinal injury during cruise celebrating son’s wedding

By
FOX Local
Travel News
Published September 12, 2026 6:00 PM MST
Published September 12, 2026 6:00 PM MST
article

View of the Sun Princess cruise passenger ship. Photo by Gerard Bottino/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

The Brief

    • Minnesota pastor Steve Junker died after suffering a severe spinal cord injury and nearly drowning aboard a cruise ship in Italy.
    • Junker was hospitalized in Naples before being transported to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, for additional treatment.
    • He died Sept. 4 surrounded by loved ones while his church remembered him for his faith and impact on others.

A Minnesota pastor died after suffering a severe spinal cord injury and nearly drowning during a cruise in Italy while celebrating his son’s wedding.

Steve Junker, of Elbow Lake, Minnesota, was aboard the Sun Princess on Aug. 16 when he fell and was later found face down and unresponsive in a pool, according to a GoFundMe page organized by his family.

What they're saying:

Princess Cruises confirmed Junker’s death in a statement to Fox News Digital.

"We are deeply saddened by the passing of our guest and extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones during this extraordinarily difficult time," the cruise line said.

The company said ship personnel were alerted Aug. 16 that a passenger needed medical assistance.

"The guest was attended to by the ship's medical team and subsequently transferred ashore for further care," Princess Cruises said.

Dig deeper:

Junker was transported by an Italian Coast Guard boat to a hospital in Naples, where he was admitted to the intensive care unit, according to the fundraiser.

His family said he suffered a severe spinal cord injury and nearly drowned in the accident. He underwent emergency spinal surgery the following day.

The family said the procedure was successful, although Junker’s spinal cord injury remained serious.

While Junker was hospitalized overseas, his family worked to navigate his medical care and arrange transportation to a U.S. hospital.

"We are working through the medical, logistical and financial challenges of arranging appropriate medical transport and getting him to a hospital in the United States," the family wrote before his death.

Junker was eventually transported to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, on Aug. 23 for additional treatment, according to reports.

His family asked friends and loved ones to keep him in their thoughts and prayers.

"Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for every prayer, message, phone call, kind thought, and offer of support," the family wrote.

Junker died Sept. 4 surrounded by loved ones, according to posts from his family on Facebook.

The backstory:

Following his death, Junker’s church remembered him for his faith and the impact he had on others.

"Pastor Steve was a wonderful person, loved by many, and had a great impact on many people through his faith," Chippewa Lutheran Church wrote in a Facebook post.

The church also shared a tribute from Nathaniel Junker, Steve’s son, who sang worship songs inspired by his father.

"He closed his eyes to this life and [opened his eyes to Jesus]," the church’s post read.

A mourner wrote on Facebook, "May God bring comfort for all who loved and care for Pastor Steve Junker. I'm so sorry for your loss."

An obituary said Junker worked as a pharmacist before answering the call to ministry. He is survived by his wife, five children and their spouses, a grandchild and other family members.

Fox News Digital reached out to Junker’s family for comment.

The Source: FOX News contributed to this report. The story’s information came from a GoFundMe page organized by Steve Junker’s family, statements and comments from Princess Cruises, reports about his treatment at hospitals in Italy and Minnesota, family posts on Facebook, and tributes from Chippewa Lutheran Church. Fox News Digital also reached out to Junker’s family for comment. This story was reported from Los Angeles. 

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