Steven Jay Klingsporn

Steven Jay Klingsporn, 71 of Golden, Colorado passed away in his home on Friday morning, November 17, 2023. Steve was born on August 30, 1952 in Rochester, MN to Robert & Helen Klingsporn. In 1956 the family moved to Hoyt Lakes and then on to Lake Vermilion, Tower in the fall of 1962. Steve loved the lake life on Birch Point. He spent hours enjoying the water sports and fishing in the summer months and in the winter, snowmobiling, and ice fishing. Of course, hunting was his favorite sport. He shot his first deer when he was 14 years old. He also loved spending time in the summer on his grandparent’s farm in southern Minnesota. He found hunting and fishing in Colorado inviting also but the memories of Lake Vermilion never left him.

Steve graduated from Tower Soudan High School in 1970 and worked around the Tower area for a few years. In the mid 70’s he moved to Longmont, Colorado, where he married Shirley Hujanen. Shirley had two children and he willingly became a Dad for the first time then and again in April of 1982 when their daughter Jessica was born. He always thought of all three kids as his! He loved being a grandfather to his 7

grandchildren. They made him smile and he loved teasing them, just like his Dad loved teasing his grandchildren.

In his retirement, he lived in Longmont for a while and then became ill and had to live in assisted living for the last several years. The AL in Golden was close to Jessica and her family, and he really liked being there the past three years. He had a beautiful view of the mountains and snow, though he complained that it was too cold sometimes. Steve had a wonderful sense of humor, and his laugh was contagious. Many have fond memories of Steve laughing and making jokes. He was a fun-loving kind of guy and will be sadly missed.

At Steve’s request, there will be no funeral, but the kids will fulfill his wish and return him to Lake Vermilion in the summer of 2024 when there will be a small gathering of family and friends. No plans have been made at this time. Steve is survived by his three children, Joe Kreuzer, Tulsa, OK; Heidi (Troy) Becker,

Kersey, CO; and Jessica (Nathan Showalter) Klingsporn, Golden, CO. Seven grandchildren – Dawson & Bryson Becker, Carson & Caroline Kreuzer, and Layla, Nora, & Ellis Showalter. Two sisters, Marcia (Ron) Vietanen, Hoyt Lakes, MN & Sharon Vogel, Elk River, MN. One Aunt, Julie Kulsrud and numerous nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Robert and Helen Klingsporn.

John 16:22 “So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.”