Steven Kriel, of Goodridge, MN, passed away on Wednesday, July 31, 2024 at his home in Thief River Falls, MN, at the age of 55.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, August 8, 2024 at Ekelund Lutheran Church in Goodridge, MN, with Rev. Kris Snyder officiating. Burial will follow at Ekelund Cemetery.
Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service on Thursday at the church.
Steven Anthony Kriel was born on January 17, 1969 in Thief River Falls, MN, the son of Roger and Carol (Overby) Kriel. He was baptized and confirmed at Ekelund Lutheran Church in Goodridge, MN. Steve attended Goodridge Elementary and High School, graduating in 1987. He graduated with a A.A. Degree from Northland Community College in Thief River Falls.
Steve was born and raised on a farm in Star Township in Goodridge, MN. While growing up Steve enjoyed riding on a 3-wheeler, hanging with the neighborhood friends, helping his dad in the field, and going fishing with Grandma and Grandpa Kriel at Springsteel Resort. During his school years Steve enjoyed playing football and basketball, hanging with his many friends, and driving his 1967 Ford single cab truck with 3 on the tree.
Following college, Steve worked at Radio Shack, Cell 2000, and had his own DJ system, Party Sensations. He was also employed at Digikey for over 20 years as an assigned account rep. Steve worked for TR Salvage for over a year as a sales rep.
On September 30, 2000 Steve was united in marriage to Jennifer Stenzel at Faith Lutheran Church in Goodridge, MN. Throughout their years of marriage Steve and Jenni enjoyed going to MN Vikings and Wild games, trips to Duluth, Canada, Hawaii, and to the cities, going to concerts, spending time with their Godchildren, and watching the nieces and nephews. Steve had a love for animals – especially his dogs and cats. Steve loved spending time hunting and shooting at the family cabin, driving his red Ford Mustang. Most of all Steve loved spending time with his family and friends.
Steve was a member of the Goodridge Lions Club where he held several positions. He acquired a certificate to perform a family marriage.
Steve is survived by his wife, Jenni; mother, Carol Kriel of St. Hilaire, MN; siblings, Lisa Kriel Koble (Gerald) of Roseau, MN, Jeffrey Kriel of St. Hilaire, MN, and Ryan (Twila) Kriel of Goodridge, MN; nephews and nieces, Mathew Verbout (Ryan), Alisha Anderson (Robbie), Megan Verbout, Gastin Kriel, Gannon Kriel, Logan Kriel, Simone Gebro, Cari Larson (Nate), Jake Wellentin (Katrina), Blaine Kriel (Kember), and Brooklynn Kriel; great-nephews and great-nieces, Presley, Briggs, Jett, and Hank Anderson, Sawyer, Tinley, and Braxtin Kriel, Sophia and Jaxon Gebro, Whittemore, Wren, and Prescott Larson, and Ayla and Kayda Kriel; godchildren, Alisha, Gannon, Nolan, Nicholas, and Logan; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, relatives, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, Roger Kriel; grandparents, Norman and Oleen (Langerud Hanson) Kriel, Anton Overby, and Louis and Helga Jelle; brother-in-law, Scott Stenzel; sister-in-law, Trisha Kriel.