Steven Grabau

Steven John Grabau, 77, died on Thursday, March 26th at St. Mary's Hospital.

Steve was born on December 30, 1948, in Rochester, MN, to Leo and Olive Grabau.

Steve grew up in Spring Valley, MN, and drove a semi while in high school. Steve enlisted in the US Army Reserve after high school, proudly served in a medical unit, and earned the rank of E6 Staff Sergeant, he was discharged in April of 1974. Steve began his 44-year career at Mayo Clinic in General Service. After serving in the military, he was a surgical technician and later became the supervisor of Oral Surgery and finally the supervisor of the Gonda Outpatient Surgical Department. Steve's proudest professional accomplishment was being one of six people who helped open the Gonda 7 Outpatient Surgical Department in 2003. As a Mayo employee for 44 years, Steve knew everyone, and his family would frequently joke that he was always running into people he knew. You couldn't go anywhere without running into someone Steve knew. After retirement, Steve worked many different jobs to keep busy. His last job was driving a courtesy van for Rochester Motor Cars. Steve loved driving, and the courtesy van combined his love of driving with the chance to drive former work colleagues.

Steve was known for being meticulous. He loved taking care of his lawn and took pride in having a lawn that the neighborhood openly admired. Chances are, you could catch Steve walking his lawn with a spray bottle of weed killer on the off chance a weed dared to show its head on his lawn. Steve took care of his cars with the same love as his lawn. Steve's cars were always clean and maintained with precision. The kind of clean that made you want to take your shoes off before getting in. He loved boating and fishing and showed great patience in teaching all of his children how to waterski. With years of experience as a truck driver, he could back a boat trailer into a parking spot or boat launch with ease.

In 1971, Steve married Marica Drogmuller; they later divorced.

In 1986, he married Catherine (Meir) Triviski. Steve and Cathy enjoyed yearly trips to Naples, FL. Every year, they stayed at The Vanderbilt Beach Motel and formed lasting friendships with the other 'seasonal' guests. They enjoyed daily walks on the beach, fresh grapefruit, and trips to The North Naples Country Club.

Above all, Steve loved being Boppa to his 7 grandchildren. Steve was an active figure in his grandchildren's lives. Boppa babysat, changed many diapers, went to band/choir concerts, and attended too many sporting events to count. Boppa also taught many of his grandchildren to drive with the same patience he showed his children, and if you've been in the car with some of them, you know it took A LOT of patience.

Steve is survived by his wife, Cathy, and his children, Jill Shepard of Jacksonville, NC, and Jeff (Kaiya) Grabau of Mondovi, WI, stepdaughter Sue (Rob) Bender of Rochester, MN, and 7 Grandchildren: AnnMarie and Jacob Shepard, Elizabeth Grabau, Catherine and Patrick Winter, and Liliana and Cecilja Triviski.

Preceded in death by his parents, his 3 siblings, and his stepson.

Visitation will be from 2 pm-5 pm on Thursday, April 9th, at Zumbro Lutheran Church in Rochester, MN. Memorial service to immediately follow. Interment will be private at the Zumbro Lutheran Columbarium.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to the Zumbro Lutheran Church music department or the family.

Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to serve the Grabau family