Steve Leverenz, 58, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015, at the University of Minnesota Medical Center from Pulmonary Fibrosis while surrounded by his loving family and close friends.
Steve was born June 15th, 1957 and grew up in West Bend, WI. He attended Decorah Elementary, Badger Middle School, and West Bend West High School graduating in 1975. During high school, he lettered in four sports and became an eagle scout. Steve received a Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin, Madison in December of 1979. During his time as a Badger, Steve was an active member of the Mu chapter of Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI). He held the relationships he had with his FIJI brothers close to his heart. Steve also completed additional coursework at the Milwaukee School of Engineering.
On June 5th, 1982, he married Joan Gavin, fellow Madison engineering classmate. They celebrated their 33rd wedding anniversary this year.
Steve started his career at John Deere as a mechanical engineer in Ottumwa, Iowa and Horicon, Wisconsin. He worked briefly for Oshkosh Truck in South Carolina as well as Excelsior Henderson Motorcycle Company in Belle Plaine, Minnesota. Steve began a long career at Donaldson Company in 1993 where he worked for over 20 years at various locations including: Stevens Point, Wisconsin, Cresco, Iowa, Leuven, Belgium, and finally in Bloomington, Minnesota. Steve had a wonderful relationship with his co-workers and cherished the history he had with Donaldson Company.
Steve was very active in his church community, Jacob’s Well, and his cycling and racquetball groups. He enjoyed hiking, fishing, and creating deep and intentional friendships. He had the opportunity to travel and explore the world with his family and friends.
Steve was not only challenged with Pulmonary Fibrosis, but lived through three occurrences of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma over 30 years. His spirit was truly full of adventure and he always looked for the silver linings in life.
Steve will be greatly missed by his wife: Joan, children: Shane, Erin and Megan, MN. He is survived by his sisters: Barbara (Wayne) Scott, TX, Caryn (Dave) Miller, MO, and Lynn (Bill) Benn, WI. Steve was a proud uncle to Rachel and Leah Benn, Austin and Garrett Scott, and Alec and Rylee Miller. He is further survived by his father, John, and extended family and friends. Steve was preceded in death by his mother, Janet Leverenz (Dottai).
Steve’s family and friends will forever remember him as a loving father, husband, uncle, brother, son, and friend. We would like to thank his doctors and nurses at the University of Minnesota Medical Center who treated Steve and his family with the utmost respect and kindness. We would also like to thank the local Pulmonary Fibrosis support group that offered Steve and Joan continued encouragement. Finally, we would like to express our deepest thanks to the many family and friends who kept Steve, his family, and his doctors in their thoughts and prayers. Steve lived a wonderful life overflowing with blessings and he will be missed by many.
A memorial service will be held at the McNamara Alumni Center located at 200 Oak St. SE, Suite 100, Minneapolis, MN, 55455 on Saturday, January 9. A visitation will begin at 10:30 a.m. A memorial service will be held at 12 p.m. followed by a light lunch. In lieu of flowers, Steve’s family requests that memorial donations be made in his name to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Support Group of Minnesota: PO Box 390498, Minneapolis, MN 55439-0498.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his name to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Support Group of Minnesota. Online donations may be made here or checks can be mailed to: PO Box 390498, Minneapolis, MN 55439-0498.