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Steven James Blondo, 51, of Kettle River, MN collapsed and died suddenly at home on Friday,
January 23, 2026. Steven was a beloved husband and father, son, brother, and friend. He felt
supported by every family member, friend, mentor, and community leader. Steven had a rare gift
in his ability to make people feel seen, welcomed, and valued.
Born and raised in Aberdeen, South Dakota, Steven grew up on a hobby farm with his parents
and sister who fostered resilience, imagination, and creativity. Steven graduated from Central
High School in Aberdeen, held a BA in Anthropology from Moorhead State University (MN), an
AA in Culinary Arts, and an MA in Cultural Resource Management from the University of
Minnesota-Twin Cities.
In Steven's career as an archaeologist, he was the founder and heart behind Blondo Consulting,
where his work was grounded in deep respect for people, place, and history. This path brought
him to places all over the country from coast to coast, border to border; and storytelling was
Steven's way to connect a common thread. A significant and meaningful part of his professional
life was spent partnering with Tribal Nations to preserve and honor their cultural heritage,
working by listening first, building trust, and ensuring that their voices and traditions were
centered and protected.
Steven believed fiercely in public education and in schools as the heart of a healthy community.
He served as Chair of the Moose Lake School Board with integrity, curiosity, and compassion,
always asking what would best serve students and families.
His dad fostered his love of model trains and he spent countless hours designing, building, and
rebuilding for his lifetime love of the hobby. While raising his family, he showed them his passion
for making models, and had the ability to create with intricate detail. His mom taught him to
love being in the kitchen and on the hobby farm, cooking, baking, canning, caring, and creating.
He carried that knowledge into adulthood, passing it along to his children.
Twenty-nine years ago this week, Steven met Beth while at MSU during a chance encounter at
the library, it was truly love at first sight, and they were inseparable. Steven and Beth were
married at the Sculpture Garden in Minneapolis, Minnesota on September 2, 2001. He fostered
his sense of adventure with her, and never failed to go off the beaten path to discover. He
inherited an extended family from her that welcomed him with open arms and hearts in any
adventure.
Above all else, Steven was a devoted husband and father. He was a true partner to his wife,
Beth, with whom he built a beautiful life through the good times and bad, in sickness and in
health, and led with love. He was the proud dad of Sebastien, whose life and legacy reflected so
much of Steven's own kindness, empathy, and openness to others. He deeply appreciated the
creativity and sensitivity of his adult child, Jae (20) and the ingenuity and tenacity of son, Ainsley
(17). Steven carried his love for Beth and his kids in the way he lived—showing up for people,
mentoring generously, and choosing connection even in the face of grief.
He was preceded in death by his beloved son, Sebastien (17), his grandparents Tom and Ruth
Blondo and Alvin and Greta Colleen Kemp. He is survived by his loving wife and partner of
nearly 25 years, Elizabeth (Miesle) Blondo and his children Jae and Ainsley. He is also survived
by his parents Richard and Greeta Ann (Kemp) Blondo and sister Julie (Blondo) and Derek
Nelson and their children, Mckinley, Kenna, and Jaelyn Nelson. He is also deeply loved and
remembered by Beth's parents Dan and Marial Miesle, five siblings, spouses, and children. Steven
had an extensive family with both the Blondos and Miesles.
Steven's final act of selflessness and kindness was to give the gift of life through organ and tissue
donation.
Visitation will take place at Hope Lutheran Church in Moose Lake, MN on Thursday, January 29,
2026 from 1-4pm, with services at 5pm, and a dinner to follow in the fellowship hall.
Memorials in lieu of gifts can be sent to a memorial fund established at First National Bank of Moose Lake.