Steve Anthony Vekich

Steve Anthony (Stepo) Vekich, born August 22, 1929 to Matt and Kristine Vekich, immigrants from Croatia and Slovenia. A lifelong Duluth resident, he was raised in the Raleigh Street neighborhood of West Duluth, graduating from Denfeld High School in 1947. Steve was a natural athlete in hockey, baseball, fast pitch softball and football. He played football and baseball for the Duluth Junior College and Augustana College in Sioux Falls. He was on the undefeated DJC football team that played in the 1948 Little Rose Bowl in Pasadena. After college, Steve served in the Korean War attaining the rank of Sargent First Class, and had a 30-year career in social service work with St. Louis County.

His passion was being a sports official and referee. Steve had a long career in high school and college football, basketball, baseball, and softball games. He enjoyed assigning, evaluating and mentoring many men and women in their referee careers across Minnesota. After 50 years with the Minnesota State High School League, he was honored with the Distinguished Service Award for his work in mentoring and fostering sports officials.
Steve’s favorite song was Amazing Grace, one he learned to appreciate in his time as an AA sponsor. He loved Christmas, making sausage, camaraderie with the guys, and watching sports -- any baseball game was good to him. Pragmatic in all things, Steve had a gruff exterior and a soft interior. Always wanting to help people, he spent several retirement years as an apartment caretaker for disabled adults. He valued short visits and conversations: “Have a good beginning, a good ending and keep them close together” he would say. His life with us lasted 87-plus years --we wish we had just a little more time.

He is beloved and survived by brother John and four children: Patricia Waldron (Joe) of San Diego, Susan Kleven (Bruce) of Edina, Steve M. Vekich (Shannon) of Wayzata, and John R. Vekich (Patsy) of Scottsdale, and five grandchildren: Joseph Kleven, Alex & Andrew Vekich and Mia & Alexa Vekich. He has an extraordinary number of friends whose lives he touched in ways both big and small.

Visitation after 10:30 AT CHURCH.

Friday, January 6, 2017 12:00 PM

Church of St. Benedict 1419 St. Benedict St. Duluth, MN

Visitation after 10:30 AT CHURCH.