Steven Sjogren

Obituary

Steven Henry Sjogren was born June 14, 1942, in Brookfield Township, Renville County, Minnesota, the son of Clarence “Boots” and Helen (Rockeman) Sjogren. He was baptized as an infant at First Lutheran Church in Hector, and confirmed there as a youth. Steve was active in the Lakeside Comets 4-H Club.  For several years, he had the Grand Champion Holstein cow at the Renville County Fair, and also exhibited at the Minnesota State Fair.  While in school, Steve played baseball and basketball.  After graduation from the Hector High School in 1960, Steve continued his education at the University of Minnesota. He graduated in 1965 with a Degree in Agri Business and a Minor in Chemistry.

Steve began his professional career in 1965 with the State of Minnesota Auditor’s Office.  From there, Steve worked in various roles in the telecommunications industry:  North American Communication, Iverson Engineering, Scott-Rice Telephone Company, then returned to Hector, MN, for a position with Communication Systems Inc. in 1974.  Steve was a notable figure across the region, participating in advisory committees, meeting with legislators, and leading a successful local communications company.  His last role was President and Chief Operating Officer of Hector Communication Corporation, until he retired in 2006.  Throughout his career, Steve held great respect for his co-workers and business associates, and valued the many relationships he built along the way.

Steve was united in marriage to Louise Grossman in 1970 at the Church of Saint Stephen in Minneapolis. They made their first home in Prior Lake, MN, spent a brief time living in Cotton and Bena, MN, and eventually settled in Hector where they raised three children, Lael, Kaia, and Eric. Despite his many professional responsibilities and accomplishments, family was always Steve’s primary focus. It was well known by his coworkers that Steve’s travel commitments were heavily influenced by his family’s activities.  Steve loved playing golf, and served on the Oakdale Country Club Golf Board. Fishing was another favorite hobby, and he enjoyed many trips with his family and coworkers to the Highstone fishing camp in Canada. A great supporter of the outdoors, Steve was a member of Ducks Unlimited and Pheasants Forever.  After retirement, Steve became a regular at morning and afternoon coffee at Pete’s Grill.  He also liked watching and feeding his birds, terrorizing the squirrels, and taking his daily nature drive out to Brookfield Township to observe wildlife by Buffalo Creek.  Steve was a lifetime member of First Lutheran Church in Hector.

Steve and Louise’s love and support for their children has extended to their grandchildren.  In the last week of his life, Steve was able to watch Brayden play basketball, take Ben to practice, drive into the Twin Cities to pick up Allison from the airport, take care of Jaelyn and Rachel, and Face Time with Luke, Isaac, and Elizabeth. 

In November 2015, Steve was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer. Throughout his first course of treatment, he was able to continue to enjoy the things that brought him happiness.  During a remission from his cancer, the family was able to have a fun-filled spring and summer, with many outings to such places as Duluth, Cedar Lake near Annandale, and their yearly adventure to Leech Lake. Steve’s brothers, Dennis and David, also participated in family activities. In late Fall 2016, Steve resumed chemo. On the evening of March 11, 2017, Steve passed away unexpectedly, having reached the age of 74 years. Blessed be his memory.

Steven is survived by his:

Wife of 46 years, Louise Sjogren, of Hector;

Daughter, Lael (Jake) Dornseif of Hector, and their children: Benjamin, Allison, and Brayden;

Daughter, Kaia (Joe) Verich of Rhinelander, Wisconsin, and their children: Luke, Isaac, and Elizabeth;

Son, Eric (Jamie) Sjogren of Watertown, and their children, Rachel and Jaelyn;

Brothers: Dennis Sjogren of St. Cloud, and David Sjogren of St. Paul;

other relatives, and friends.

Steven was preceded in death by his Parents, Clarence and Helen Sjogren, Parents-in-law, August and Mathilda Grossman, and by his Aunts and Uncles, Sophie and Selmer Sampson, Bill and Flossie Sjogren, and Pearl and Ted Garske.

Steve was very thankful for the excellent healthcare he received from his family and CentraCare in St. Cloud.