Kirk Severson

Kirk Richard Severson passed away peacefully in his sleep on July 16, 2025. Kirk was born in Madison, WI on March 25, 1976, to parents Winifred (Winnie, nee Snyder) and Richard (Dick) Severson. He graduated from James Madison Memorial High School in 1994. He majored in Psychology and Computer Science at Luther College and graduated in 1998. After college he moved to Rochester, MN and worked in IT at Mayo Clinic for 24 years.

Kirk had many hobbies including disc golf, sailing, juggling, astronomy, kayaking, and skiing. You could find him on a disc golf course in many different locations, even if there was snow on the ground. He was able to reconnect with old friends and make new friends who also enjoyed the sport. He enjoyed volunteering with sailing classes at Lake City, setting up his telescope for public viewing at community events with the Rochester Astronomy Club, helping to categorize and ship out medical supplies at Global Health Ministries in Fridley, and preparing donations for recycling at the Rochester ReStore. He also loved going to garage sales, learning about birds and dragonflies, and listening to music on Jazz88.

He is survived by his cherished daughter Nora Grace (Rochester, MN), parents Winnie & Dick (Madison, WI); brother Sten and sister-in-law Rebecca Bernstein, their children Harvey and Sadie "the niblings" (Minneapolis, MN); brother Gregg and sister-in-law Kellie Hoyt (Minneapolis, MN); and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

His family and friends will remember him for being very patient and enduring, ever happy to share a pun (especially a groaner!), always willing to drive long distances to see or do something special (i.e. driving to Arkansas to view the total solar eclipse in 2024 with a crew of jugglers). He enjoyed being outdoors, playing in or on the lake at the family cabin, and especially doting on Nora.

Kirk struggled with depression in recent years, but he was working with a team of support professionals, had made great strides, and was currently back to work. It was a shock to all of us when he died suddenly of natural causes, but it's somewhat a comfort that he died doing something he loved - sleeping!

Celebration of Life will be held at School House Events, 25 2nd St. SE Oronoco, MN on Saturday, August 9 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. with a time for sharing stories at 2:30 p.m. There will be a private graveside service in Braham, MN.

Memorials can be made in memory of Kirk to Global Health Ministries at ghm.org, click on Donate and then Tribute Gifts. Checks can be mailed to Global Health Ministries: 7831 Hickory Street NE Minneapolis, MN 55432. Or to a charity of your choice.

Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Severson family. To share a special memory or condolence, please scroll down to the guestbook and submit a post.