Steven "Steve" H. Drees

Steven “Steve” H. Drees, age 56, of Thompson, North Dakota, died Friday, July 18, 2025, at the Altru Hospital in Grand Forks surrounded by the love of his family.

Steven Howard Drees was born on November 16, 1968, in Fargo, North Dakota. Steve graduated from Thompson High School with the class of 1987 and furthered his education at the University of North Dakota, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in computer programming. In 2013, Steve joined Holmes Corporation and worked as a computer programmer.

On September 14, 1996, Steve was united in marriage to Kerri Kooyer at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Grand Forks. With this union, he gained a stepdaughter, Tanisha. They completed their family when they were blessed with a daughter, Savanna. The family moved around from San Ramon, California, and Hibbing, Minnesota, until 2005 when they settled back in Thompson, North Dakota.

Steve cannot be fully encapsulated by a couple of paragraphs. He had an infinite wealth of knowledge for an immeasurable number of topics. Steve loved technology, collecting old computers, tinkering, and creating with his 3D printer. He also formed bonds with people through video games, music, and an inner calling to help others.

His heart never hesitated to help. Whether it was helping by fixing something, offering advice, listening without judgement, or simply just showing up for someone, he never failed to do just that. Helping others wasn’t just something that Steve did; it was interwoven into the fabric of his being. He gave his time, knowledge, energy, and advice freely with no expectation for something in return.

Steve connected with people in many different ways. One of those was through music. Steve had a deep love and appreciation for music and wanted to share that with the people around him. Old favorites, new discoveries, songs and albums that could say the words he couldn’t speak, he loved to connect with friends and loved ones by sending music to them that could speak to them in ways that they couldn’t speak themselves.

Steve was the most important, and most irreplaceable kind of hero. The quiet but consistent kind of hero. Reliable, humble, and full of heart. The person you called when something broke, when you were a damsel in distress, when life got messy, or when you just didn’t know what to do. And no matter how busy Steve was, he made the time. He would show up with jump packs, tow rope and tools in hand, patience in his voice, and a deep calm in his soul that could make the most catastrophic moments feel like a Sunday afternoon. He had the ability to give people the space they needed to feel whatever it is they needed to feel, while simultaneously encouraging them to keep going, and reminding them of the strength they have inside of them.

Steve had an incredible way of making people feel seen, heard, and like there was always a space for them to exist without expectation. To come to him just as they are. He offered his presence fully, without complaint, and often without anyone needing to ask. His generosity wasn’t loud, but it was constant. And for that reason, his love was louder than any sound that can be made.

Steve is survived by his daughters, Tanisha (Steve) Krznarich, and Savanna (fiancé Jasper Westerhold) Drees; grandson, Michael Krznarich; mother, Myrna Drees; siblings, Dawn (Pat) Cronin, and Mike (Amanda Barney) Drees; birth and bonus family, Carol (Valerie Walker) Martenson, Kim Stenehjem, Kari (Ian) Furness, Aaron Stenehjem; and many other family members and friends.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Kerri; father, Howard Drees; and birth father, Steve Stenehjem.

Memorial services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, July 25, 2025, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service. Burial will be held at Memorial Park South Cemetery in Grand Forks, North Dakota. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church of Grand Forks, Your QFM, or Circle of Friends Humane Society.