General Information
Full Name: Steven Willard Gutzmer
Date of Birth: February 8, 1949
Date of Death: March 31, 2013
Steve’s life story
Steven Willard Gutzmer, 64, of St. Benedict, passed away suddenly Easter Sunday, March 31, 2013. An informal gathering will take place on Tuesday, April16, 2013 from 6-8:00 P.M. at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home 104 West First Street, Jordan. Full military honors will be provided by the Jordan Veterans Honor Guard.
Steven Willard Gutzmer was born on February 8, 1949 in Red Wing, Minnesota to parents Willard and Delores (Winterfeldt) Gutzmer Haynes. He was the second of five children. His childhood years were spent in Excelsior, later to a farm in Wayzata and then Maple Plain where Steve was a graduate of Orono High School in 1967. Sports were a big part of high school for Steve, as he excelled baseball and was voted Most Valuable Player in football.
Steve married Judy (Molskness) in 1968. In 1970 Steve was drafted into the United States Army. Steve and Judy were stationed in Maryland before being transferred to Frankfurt Germany. After his time in the service, they moved to Owatonna Minnesota and they had a daughter, Tricia Lee, born March 11th 1973 and passed away May 6th 1973. On April 19th 1975, they had a son, Jeffrey Steven. Later that year, they moved to Belle Plaine where he worked at FABCON in Savage and was a member of the Belle Plaine Fire Department.
In the late 80s till early mid 90s, Steve was involved with the Branding Iron where later he moved to Jordan and worked for Dynafab/Kurt Manufacturing. Steve married Patricia Tagtow in 1996. In 1998 he left Kurt Manufacturing in Jordan to work up in Winsted at SJF Material handling. Beginning early in 2003, Steve went out on his own starting up his own company, SWG Automation Solutions. Pat and Steve shared 26 years together, residing for many of them between Jordan and New Prague in St. Benedict.
Steve was a handyman and a do-it-yourself kind of guy willing to help anyone at any time. He enjoyed fishing, playing cards, dancing and socializing. Sports were a big part of his life, as he followed the St. Benedict baseball team, Minnesota Twins, Minnesota Wild, Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Golden Gophers and local high school teams.
Forever loved, Steve will be deeply missed by his son; Jeffrey & Stacey Gutzmer of Jordan, grandchildren; Brandon, Aiden, Ty and Logan, and Jeff’s mother Judy Gutzmer of Belle Plaine; Patricia Tagtow, step children: Rhonda (Emil) Kraska, New Market, Chris Stangler, Owatonna, Kurt Stangler, Minneapolis, Candice ( Eric) Menge, Shakopee; 8 step-grandchildren Carmen, Katie, Stacey, Joseph, Derek, London, Tanner, Makayla; sisters Georgette Kearin of Belle Plaine, Kathryn McCann of Minneapolis and many other loving relatives and friends.
Steve is preceded in death by his daughter, Tricia; parents, Willard and Delores (Winterfeldt) Gutzmer Haynes; step-father Max Haynes; infant brothers Jerry John and Stanley Lloyd and brother-in-law, Robert “Bob” Kearin.
Memorials are preferred and will be distributed in Steve’s memory by the family.
The Gutzmer family is served with honor, care and compassion by Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, Jordan Chapel.
Gathering of Family and Friends
When: Tuesday, APRIL 16th 6-8 pm
Location: Ballard Sunder Funeral Home
Address: 104 First Street West, Jordan, MN
