Steven Zaiser

Steven L. Zaiser of Fargo, ND, passed away on Friday, October 2, 2026 at Lilac Homes Assisted Living Memory Care in Moorhead.

Steve was born September 30, 1951 to Robert and Alice (Roisen) Zaiser in Montevideo, MN. He attended Montevideo Public Schools through his sophomore year of high school, graduating from Dawson-Boyd High School in 1970.

At Moorhead State University he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in American Studies.

Steve and Catherine Bishop were married October 9, 1976. They were blessed to become parents of two children, Shana and William.

Steve’s career encompassed community planning and development for the Devils Lake and Fargo-Moorhead municipalities.

He took particular pride in his position as Executive Director and Co-founder of River Keepers, a nonprofit organization advocating for safe and sustained use of the Red River of the North.

Steve was a compassionate person, always desiring to make life better for people through the causes he supported.

He was elected to the North Dakota House of Representatives in 2002, serving his constituents in the 21st District with unwavering dedication through 2014.

He enjoyed nature and the outdoors; taking road trips in his Miata; seeing new places and making new acquaintances. He enjoyed watching sports and engaging in politics.

Steve was very proud of his children and their accomplishments. He and his dogs, Mayes and Skyla, were loyal companions.

Preceding Steve in death were his son Will, his mother Alice Jordheim, his father Robert Zaiser, his stepfather H.G. (Bob) Jordheim, and his grandparents Harold and Mae Zaiser and Oscar and Sadie Roisen.

Surviving Steve are his daughter, Shana Zaiser (Sam Woolever), granddaughter Alice Woolever, grandson Logan Rentz, sisters and brothers Tim Jordheim (Mary Casey), Pam (Russ) Perkins, Jana (Jeff) Fuller, Cheryl (Dwight) Graven, David Jordheim (Kris Koehnen), Tom (Joan) Zaiser, Stephen (Mary) Jordheim, and many nieces and nephews.

Steve’s cremains will be interred in the columbarium at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Fargo, next to his son, Will.

SERVICES
Visitation 1-2 p.m. Saturday, May 15, 2027
Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center
Memorial Service 2 p.m. Saturday, May 15, 2027
Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center