Steven Kaas
Steven “Louie” Lee Kaas, 56, of Russell, Minn., passed away Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, S.D., from complications of cancer. A public memorial service will take place at Veterans Park in Minneota on Sept. 4, 2026, at 1 p.m., followed by a reception at the Southwest Sportsman’s Club in Minneota until 5 p.m. An official service with military honors and interment will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery at a later date.
Steve was born March 8, 1970, in Marshall, Minn., to Leslie “Butch” and Sheryl (Hovland) Kaas. He graduated from Dawson-Boyd High School in 1988 then briefly attended Fergus Falls Technical School. After deciding he wanted to serve our country, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy on Aug. 31, 1989. Steve completed basic training at Recruit Training Command (RTC) Orlando in Orlando, Fla. After graduating from RTC, Steve transferred to Norfolk, Va., then attended the U.S. Navy Aerographer’s Mate “A” School at Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul, Ill. From there, Steve transferred to U.S. Naval Support Activity Souda Bay in Crete, Greece, until his discharge from active duty on Oct. 26, 1993.
While stationed in Greece, Steve met fellow sailor Rebecca (Higgins). The couple were married Aug. 28, 1993. Upon Rebecca’s transfer to her next duty station, they returned stateside and settled in Jacksonville, Fla., then later returned to Minnesota, living in Marshall and Lynd before settling in Russell, Minn. Steve worked at Performance Foodservice in Marshall before suffering a hip injury on the job, which led to an early retirement.
Post-retirement, he kept himself busy by furthering his knowledge in any and all subjects from severe weather/storm chasing, learning Spanish, setting up financial portfolios for family and virtual dirt racing with numerous friends in Australia. He had a sardonic sense of humor, a razor-sharp wit and was smart as a whip. He never tired of learning new things. He also enjoyed fishing, hunting (animals and asparagus), watching sporting events and “shootin’ the breeze” with countless friends and acquaintances. He was especially proud of the time he spent playing high school sports, where he enjoyed the camaraderie of peers and gained lifelong friends.
Steve was a brave and loyal sailor, having served during the Gulf Wars (Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm), where he faithfully served his country. He was a husband, a son, a brother, an uncle, a nephew, a cousin and a friend. He was deeply cared for and will be terribly missed.
He is survived by his wife, Rebecca (Higgins) Kaas of Russell; his mother, Sheryl (Hovland) Kaas of Canby, Minn.; his siblings: Scott and Brooke (Gilman) Kaas of Lansing, Iowa, Staci (Kaas) and Jason Carstens of Canby, and Shawn Kaas of Slayton, Minn.; his nephews and nieces: Mathew Kaas of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Sarah Kaas of Iowa City, Iowa, Devyn Kaas of Lansing, Baily Kaas of Mankato, Minn., Will Weber of Canby, Ryan Siedschlag of Watertown, S.D., Brady Carstens, Marshall, and Riley Carstens, Canby; his three cats: Owen, Lex and Gabby of Russell; and numerous cousins, aunts and uncles.
Steve was preceded in death by his father, Leslie “Butch” Kaas; nephews, Jacob and Jordan Kaas, who died in infancy; grandparents, Lois (Christensen) Gossen, William Kaas and Alvin and Edna Hovland; mother- and father-in-law, Barbara (Murphy) and Richard Lyle; aunts: Arlyss Hovland, Jeanette Hovland, Kristi Breyfogle and Vicki Kaas; uncles, Lyle Hovland and Maurie Hovland; and beloved cat, “Bugg.”
Arrangements with Horvath Funeral Service Marshall, Minn., 507-532-4522, www.horvathfuneralservice.com