Steve Kersten

Minot

Steve Kersten, age 75 of Minot, formerly of Newburg, passed away on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at a Velva, ND nursing home. His funeral will be held on Thursday, October 9, 2025 at 11:00 am at the Dovre Lutheran Church in Newburg. Visitation will begin an hour prior to service time.

Steven Dale Kersten, was born on October 7, 1949, in Bottineau, ND, to Gertrude “Susie” (Lokken) and Carl Kersten. Known affectionately as “Curly” by many, due to his natural curly hair. Steve was the 3rd of 4 Kersten boys, along with many Kersten cousins, and one could say the last name was notorious. However, Steve was known as the kind one, with a constant smile on his face.

Steve attended elementary school in Russell, ND, in a one room schoolhouse. After closing, he attended Newburg School, graduating in 1967. Summers were spent helping Carl on the farm, and enjoying the best of Lake Metigoshe. Steve joined the Club de Skinatiques, a traveling water ski performance team, and was an expert slalom and barefoot skier.

He attended North Dakota State University and graduated with a B.S in Agriculture Engineering. While at NDSU, Steve joined Theta Chi Fraternity and formed a brotherhood for life.

After graduation, Steve moved to Minneapolis, but Carl was not able to continue farming so Steve moved home to farm. Steve had known the love of his life, Pamela Glinz, his entire life as Susie and Carl were great friends with Pam’s parents, Willis and Elaine. However, it wasn’t until he moved back to Newburg when he first asked Pam on a date. A few months later, they met again at Lake Metigoshe and the rest is history. Steve and Pam married on November 26, 1976. They lived near Russell, ND and Steve enjoyed a successful farming career. In 1986, Steve and Pam moved 6 miles north of Newburg, and enjoyed raising their family there until they moved to Minot in 2016.

Steve was active in the Newburg community, serving on the Russell Elevator Board, the Cenex Board, and the North Dakota Grain Growers Association.

He worked hard to provide for his family, but enjoyed downtime and family vacations. Trips to Twins and Vikings games with family friends, skiing in Montana and even a family trip to Hawaii were highlights for them all. At Lake Metigoshe, pulling kids skiing and tubing behind the boat was something everyone enjoyed (he maybe the most).

Steve was looking forward to retirement with Pam and having his son, Ryan, take over the farm. Unfortunately, Alzheimer’s forced him to quit early. Pam and Steve made the most of his time at home and ventured to Arizona in the winters to soak in the sun.

Steve and Pam loved each other deeply, and she did all she could to take care of him, until his disease progressed to need full time care. He lived in the Mohall Nursing home, and then moved to the Velva nursing home, where he passed peacefully and went to be with the Lord.

Steve was preceded in death by: his parents Susie and Carl Kerste; his brother and sister-in-law, Clyde and Robyn Kersten; his sister-in-law, Sandra Moen; and his nephew, Tyler Moen.

He is survived by: his wife, Pam, of Minot; his daughters, Brooke Kersten of Atlanta; Cassidy (Travis) Hjelmstad of Minot; Ryan (Mimi) Kersten of Minot; his grandchildren, TJ, Thomas and Claire Hjelmstad, Owen and Carter Kersten, his brothers, Gene (Linda) Kersten of Newburg; Jay (Diane) Kersten of Minot; and many nieces, nephews, and relatives.

Arrangements were with Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau.

Published by The Minot Daily News, October 9, 2025.