Fosston – Steven John Espeseth, 70, passed away October 22, 2022, of natural causes in Fosston.
Steven was born August 4, 1952, in Petersburg, Alaska, to Arne and Louise Espeseth. Steve graduated in 1970 at Lincoln High School in Thief River Falls.
He loved the outdoors, and of course, flying his plane, he also enjoyed spending hours on his ham radio. His passions were being out in nature hunting, fishing, and collecting rocks and fossils. With the money he saved from being a commercial fisherman, he went to pilot school in Colorado. Soon after he achieved his pilot’s license, he bought a Cessna 150 plane, then went to Florida where he took up scuba diving. He returned to Alaska to commercial fish on the F/V Lindy alongside his dad Arne, brother Keith, Paul, and Dan as fellow crew mates. Then Steven, Keith, and Arne fished the Silver Cloud.
Oh, dear brother, you tried so hard to teach me how to drive your Capri, gave up due to me constantly spinning the tires each time I popped the clutch to shift the gears. You also tried so hard to teach me how to steer your skiff, needless-to-say, I had us spinning around in circles on the river.
When he became ill, he moved back to Minnesota to be with his mother and brother. Later, he moved to McIntosh. There he met a wonderful loving lady, Cindy, who was not only his caregiver but a friend, she became part of his family along with all his fellow housemates at Riverside Board and Lodge.
Steve was blessed with such good friends. He loved to tell anyone who would listen the stories of his younger years and of his dreams to one day, fly again.
Steven’s love and love for the outdoors will continue to be spread by his sister, Gayle Espeseth of Petersburg, AK; niece, Heather Berkley, nephew, Matthew Espeseth, both of Oregon; nephew, Josef Espeseth of Juneau, AK; Kristoffer Espeseth of Petersburg, AK, Nicholas Espeseth and wife Rhea (Duke) Espeseth; and two great nephews Kaden Duke and Leland Espeseth.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Arne and Louise Espeseth; and brother, Keith Espeseth.
A Memorial Service to celebrate Steve’s life will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 9, 2022, at Bethany Assisted Living, Fosston.
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