Grinnell home explosion: Settlement reached with Stepanek family

Jun 08, 2025

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Five years after a devastating gas explosion claimed the lives of Darwin and Marlene Stepanek, their daughters are speaking out, urging homeowners to take precautions to prevent similar tragedies.

The explosion, caused by a gas leak, destroyed the Stepanek family home and left behind only rubble.

"It's been a nightmare, a rollercoaster nightmare," said Dori Stepanek.

Her sister, Dara Knudtson, recalled the chaos of that day. "All we knew was the house was on fire, and that was all we knew at that point. It was very chaotic."

The family recently settled a lawsuit against Terpstra Plumbing Heating and Cooling, a Lynnville-based company, they accused of misdiagnosing the issue with their parents' gas system.

The lawsuit had claimed the company incorrectly determined that the system required a second-stage regulator on the home's exterior. The actual problem, the suit claimed, was a corroded underground gas line that allowed gas to seep into the basement, eventually leading to the explosion. The terms of the settlement remain confidential, and Terpstra's attorney did not respond to requests for comment.

The Stepanek daughters believe their parents' deaths could have been prevented if the gas leak had been properly identified or if a gas detector had been installed in the home.

"The only way for things to change is for people to take action," Knudtson said.

The sisters now advocate for the use of gas detectors, emphasizing their life-saving potential.

"If no one's noticing the smells, the gas detector can go off and beep to get you out of the house," Dori said.

Their attorney, Trever Hook, highlighted the unique risks faced by Iowans with buried propane lines.

"The soil composition in Iowa, especially east of the Des Moines metro toward Grinnell, is such that it can eat the insulation of the propane line between the propane tank and the house," Hook said.

The tragedy also underscored the importance of a timely emergency response. The Stepanek daughters noted that it took 30 minutes for an ambulance to arrive and transport their parents, a delay they found unacceptable.

Since then, the city of Grinnell has expanded its EMS department, ensuring that a paramedic and an EMT are always available. Grinnell's fire chief says the decision to expand the department was not related to the Stepaneks' deaths, but their daughters were happy with the decision nonetheless.

"I'm very grateful that they came together and provided that," said Dori.

The Stepanek family hopes their advocacy will inspire others to take proactive measures to protect their homes and loved ones.

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