Steven "Steve" Kozak

Steven “Steve” Robert Kozak, 51, of St. Charles, MN, passed away on August 13, 2022.
He was born on August 30, 1970, in Madison, WI, to Robert and Marilyn (Ripp) Kozak.
He grew up with two sisters, Renee and Julie, and he took on the “big brother” role very
well. He was always very supportive. He and his sisters would play sports in the
backyard until dark then move into the house singing and dancing to 70s music. Steve
was a 1988 graduate of Sun Prairie High School. He was very athletic, participating on
the high school tennis and varsity basketball teams. He also played club volleyball and
softball, and loved to golf. He earned his bachelor's degree from University of
Wisconsin-Whitewater in real estate with a minor in finance. After graduating college,
Steve worked in real estate and bartended at various bars and restaurants. Many good
times were spent behind the bar at Chi-Chi’s and Outback with his buddies.

Steve moved to Rochester, MN, in 2001 after meeting the love of his life, Tracie Swing.
They were united in marriage on October 16, 2004, in Las Vegas, Nevada. A year later
they moved to St. Charles to start their family. They were blessed with two amazing
children, Tatem and Tommy. Steve loved going to all of their sporting events and school
activities. He would do anything for his family. Steve was a great role model for his kids
and taught them many life lessons, including the importance of always looking for an
opportunity to play a practical joke.

Steve was the kind of person that did random acts of kindness. He would go house to
house mowing lawns in the neighborhood to those in need. Steve strived for perfection
when mowing the lawn (never cut corners, always trim and edge, and keep straight
lines) and washing his car (always wax once a year, keep tires clean, and keep your
fingers off the windows). He was also an avid Wisconsin sports fan and he let everyone
know it. He never missed a Packers or Badgers game. He loved following the Bucks
and Brewers. Steve was the life of the party with his quick wit, and excellent backup
singing skills during “Build me up Buttercup.” He loved being surrounded by his friends
and family for a cocktail…the more the merrier (the friends that is).

Words cannot adequately express the Kozak family's deep appreciation to the doctors,
nurses and staff from Mayo Clinic/St. Mary's, specifically Dr. Rivera and the TCGS
team; their tremendous support and partnership on this journey will forever be
remembered.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to one of the following
organizations: Students in Need Fund, c/o St. Charles High School, 600 E. 6th St, St.
Charles, MN 55972, or the Hometown Resource Center in St. Charles
(https://hometownrc.org/).

Steve is survived by his mother, Marilyn Kozak; wife, Tracie Kozak; children, Tatem and
Tommy Kozak; sisters, Renee (Chris) Ramirez, Julie (Nikki) Kozak; father- and
mother-in-law, Charles and Brenda Swing; aunts, Carol Ripp, Diane Tupper, Darlene
Lewis; godson, Lance (Bradley) Lattimer; and many cousins.

He is preceded in death by his father, Robert Kozak; grandparents, Peter and Marie
Kozak, Martin and Katherine Ripp; and uncles, Kenneth Ripp and Floyd Tupper.

A celebration of Steve’s life will be held on Monday, August 22, 2022, at The Garage in
St. Charles, MN, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A memorial service and Christian Mass will
be held on Thursday, August 25, 2022, at St. Albert the Great Catholic Church in Sun
Prairie, WI at 11 a.m. There will be a visitation 1 hour prior to the service, starting at 10
a.m.