Obituary of Steven Brian Jackson

Steven Brian Jackson was born on December 8, 1957, in Duluth, Minnesota. He was the son of John and Helene (Moran) Jackson, the fifth born of eight children. Steve was baptized as an infant and later confirmed in his Catholic faith. He and his siblings loved growing up in Duluth and had many adventures near their house on Colorado street, at Lake Elora and along Lester River a tributary of Lake Superior.

Steve attended St. Michael’s Catholic School in Duluth. He attended Duluth Cathedral High School for his first 2 years and graduated from Centennial High School in Circle Pines in 1976 after his family relocated from Duluth. Steve attended the University of Minnesota and received an Associate in Arts Degree in 1981. He also graduated from Control Data Institute in 1980 with an Associate Technology Degree. Steve worked at Nabisco Foods loading trucks in 1979-1980 to help pay for school. He started his career as a Field Service Technician at Copy Duplicating Products (CDP) in 1981. He was promoted quickly to a Production Service Manager and held several different Service Management positions during his 39-year career with CDP, later known as IKON and now Ricoh USA, Inc.

In 1989, Steve married the love of his life, Kathryn (Hentges) Jackson of Fargo, ND. Kathy also worked with Steve at CDP/IKON/RICOH. At the time, there was an unofficial “rule” that if co-workers started dating that one of them needed to resign. Instead of quitting, they got married and shortly thereafter, the rule was changed. Steve & Kathy honeymooned in Hawaii and celebrated their 30-year wedding anniversary with a trip back to Hawaii in February 2020. Steve retired from Ricoh USA, in July 2020.

Steve and Kathy made their home in Eagan, MN. Steve was blessed with four children. Kyle, Tony, Sarah & Jake. Steve had a passion for Minnesota sports. The Minnesota Vikings, Golden Gophers and Minnesota Wild were his teams. He did eventually warm up to the North Dakota Fighting Sioux because his wife and three of his children all graduated from UND. However, hockey was his greatest passion and he instilled the love of this sport in all of his children and anyone else in the vicinity. His backyard hockey rinks were legendary. He coached all 4 of his kids in hockey, soccer and baseball over the years. He was an amazing coach and friend. Many share fond memories of their experience with his coaching. He had a style all his own and I’m sure many of you will always remember one of Steve’s famous words of encouragement that could be heard throughout any hockey arena. “MOVE YOUR FEET!”

Steve could fix just about anything. He was always helping friends, family and neighbors fix, repair or rebuild anything. He was a natural and his wife fondly called him “MacGyver” for his inventive ways of making anything work.

Most of all he just loved spending time with family and friends. Steve passed away peacefully on August 1st, 2022 at age 64, after a two-year battle with cancer. (Myelodysplastic Syndrome – MDS)

Steve was preceded in death by his parents, John & Helene Jackson, brother Scott Jackson and father-in-law Richard Hentges.

He is survived by his wife, Kathy of Eagan. They were married for 32 years; his children Kyle (Erin) Jackson and grandchildren Isla and Kade of Maple Lake, MN., Tony Jackson of Bloomington, MN., Sarah Jackson (and fiancé Lukas Drayna) of Forest Lake, MN., Jake Jackson of Chanhassen, MN., His brothers include; Dave (Brenda) Jackson of Florida, Michael Jackson of Harris, MN., Mark (Mary) Jackson of Blaine, MN., His sisters include; Carol (Gary) Hushagen of Mora, MN., Susan (Skip) Wise of New Brighton,

MN., and Sherrie Smith of Vadnais Heights, MN. Sister-in-law Vicki Jackson of Litchfield, MN. Steve is also survived by his mother-in-law Lynn Hentges of Fargo, ND and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation and Celebration of Life Service will be held, Thursday, August 11, 2022 at the Cremation Society of Minnesota (Edina Chapel). 7110 France Ave. S. Edina, MN 55435. Visitation 4:00 – 6:00, Memorial Service with Family and Friends sharing 6:00-7:00, Reception to follow from 7:00-8:00.

Memorial Contributions - The family has asked that Memorial Contributions be made to the American Cancer Society, Alzheimer’s Association or a charity of your choice.