Steve M Kerzie

Funeral Mass for Steve M. Kerzie, 97, of Gilbert, will be 10am Monday, June 4, 2018 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Gilbert with Fr. Dennis Hoffman as celebrant. Visitation will be Sunday from 2-4pm, with recitation of the rosary at 3:45pm, at Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Gilbert.  Visitation will also continue for one hour prior to mass at the church.  Burial with military honors accorded by the Gilbert VFW Post will be in the Gilbert Cemetery.   Steve died Sunday, May 27, 2018 at St. Michael’s Health and Rehab in Virginia, Minnesota.   He was born September 11, 1920 in Chisholm, Minnesota to Johan and Angela (Lonchar) Kerzie. He was a 1938 graduate of Chisholm High School and later attended Hibbing Junior College.  He graduated from Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa with a degree in physical education and coaching.   During his athletic years Steve lettered in Football, Basketball and Track.   Following college he worked for the FBI. In 1942 he was drafted into the US Army and served in the Air Corp as a fighter pilot.  He was grounded due to a hearing loss. He earned the rank of 1st Lieutenant while in the Philippines.  On July 10, 1943 he married his high school sweetheart, Lois McLeod, in Chisholm.   He taught in Montana and in Clinton, Minnesota prior to moving to Gilbert in 1949. He was hired by the Gilbert Public School and served as an educator, coach and athletic director with over 40 years of service to his students and community.   Steve was a member of St. Joseph’s parish in Gilbert where he served as an usher, was a Life Member of the Gilbert VFW Post 4456 and was past commander of the Gilbert American Legion Post 138. Steve served the MSHSL as the Region 7 Delegate for many years.  From 1988-1990 he was appointed to the MSHSL Board of Directors.  He was inducted into many Halls of Fame for Coaching, Refereeing, Athletic Directors and Leadership.  In 2006 the MSHSL established the Steve Kerzie Annual Award to honor a Delegate Representative that most exemplifies Steve’s dedication to the League.       Survivors include his children: Bill Kerzie of Gilbert, Karen (Jim) Hoffner of Brooklyn Park and Deanna (Tom) Hafdahl of Gilbert; grandchildren: Ron (Sara), Jenny (Brad), Shelly (Nick), Dana (Joe), Nate (Steph), Mandy (Patrick), Cassie and Jaclyn; 13 great grandchildren; two expected great grandchildren; son-in-law, Curt Traaseth; sister-in-law, Donna McLeod Burich and several nieces and nephews.   He is precede in death by his parents; wife, Lois; daughter, Suzie; siblings: Louis, Angeline, John, Francis, twin brother Joseph and Mary.