God peacefully called Steven Mark Jansson home on November 25th, 2025. Steve was a beloved husband, father, grandpa/papa, brother, uncle, and friend. With a smile that could light up any room and every bowling lane, Steve is remembered for the joyful and generous way he lived his life. He had a remarkable and uplifting impact on all those who were blessed to know him over the years.
Steve is survived by his loving wife, in marriage and friendship of 47 years, Mary Kay in Barnes, WI; his brother, Bruce in Fridley, MN; his two children Kristin (Jeremy) Wilson in Pace, FL, and Kyle (Anna) Jansson in Brookfield, WI; and his six cherished grandchildren Brannon, Adelynne, & Aiden Wilson and Emma, Benjamin, & Owen Jansson. He is also survived by his faithful dog, Brutus, and by countless lifelong friends.
Born in Lincoln, NE, to Clarence and Altrene Jansson, Steve later moved with his family to Wayzata, MN, where he grew up alongside his brother, Bruce. During the Vietnam era, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and became stationed in Okinawa, Japan, where he served in a reconnaissance unit. After returning home with an Honorable Discharge, Steve followed both his gift for mathematics and his passion for bowling to the University of Minnesota. There, while on the Gopher bowling team, he met his best friend, future bride, and fellow bowling enthusiast and teammate Mary Kay.
After graduating with a business degree, Steve embarked on a long and devoted career at IBM as an analyst and project manager receiving many accolades throughout an impactful career. He became one of the company’s longest-tenured employees with 39 years of dedicated service before he joyfully retired in 2016.
One of his proudest personal achievements came at age 50, when he joined the Senior PBA Tour to fulfill his lifelong dream of “competing with the big boys”. Traveling the country with his buddies and teammates, Steve bowled against some of the best in the sport, met his idols, and embraced every tournament with the same competitive spirit, passion, and joy that defined him.
After leaving Minneapolis, another dream came true on Sweet Lake in Barnes, WI, where he and Mary Kay built a home filled with peace and beauty. Hosting gatherings of friends and family, enjoying gorgeous natural views, taking boat rides, and saying “yes” to every game or adventure, Steve made lake life a source of lasting memories. His signature laugh, paired with his bright smile, added warmth and humor to every moment and will echo in the stories shared for years to come.
Known as both grandpa and papa by his grandchildren, Steve became legendary for his colorful and dramatic readings of the children’s bedtime stories bringing joy and many giggles to everyone lucky enough to be listening. Together during visits they played games, cards, did puzzles, fished, swam and so much more. He loved watching them grow and cherished every sporting event, concert, and birthday.
Steve will be remembered for his kindness, his gentle nature, and the warmth he extended to all. His caring spirit lives on in the deep relationships he built and the countless lives he touched. He will be missed now and always.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
A visitation will be held from 5-7 pm on December 4th at Dougherty Funeral Home, 600 E 2nd St., Duluth, MN.
Funeral services will be held at 12 pm on Friday, December 5th at Mission Covenant Church, 5161 County Road P, Poplar, WI, with a visitation at 11am, and a luncheon to follow the service. All friends and family are warmly invited to come together to share memories, legendary stories, and the lasting influence of Steve’s life with “hugs around”!
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