Stephen "Steve" Bulat

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Stephen “Steve” Julius Bulat, 73, Fargo, North Dakota, passed away on November 21, 2024, after a long and courageous fight with Leukemia. He showed immense strength after his diagnosis and always had the most positive, hopeful outlook. He will be forever loved and missed.

Steve was born on November 19, 1951 to Stefan and Jennie (Fura) Bulat in Detroit, Michigan. His loving grandmother, Stella Fura, raised him and she was very dear to him. He graduated from St. Ladislaus High School in 1969 followed by two and a half years at the Detroit Institute of Technology. Steve then enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in January of 1972 and was stationed at the Minot, ND Air Force base. He loved his time in the Air Force working as a Heating and Control Specialist, especially the assignments to nuclear missile sites.

During Steve’s time in the Air Force, he met the love of his life, Ella. They married on May 22, 1976 in Hannah, ND and made their home in Wahpeton, ND where Steve attended the North Dakota State School of Science for Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology. He graduated in May of 1978 with an Associate’s Degree of Applied Science. Steve was hired by Johnson Controls as a Control and HVAC Technician in Fargo and worked there for nearly 40 years. Steve held several positions at Johnson Controls, including pipefitter, service department supervisor, service project manager, and service technician. Steve valued his coworkers and customers, with many becoming lifelong friends. He was extremely proud of his career and the company he worked for.

Steve was a dedicated husband, dad, and papa, always showing up for his wife, daughters, sons-in-law, and grandchildren with a smile, a helping hand, guidance, jokes, playfulness, and great stories. He could make any situation more fun and joyful, and he valued everyday moments and quality time with his family. Steve treasured his marriage to Ella, and they truly enjoyed spending their days together, whether it be working on a house project, having coffee on the patio, gardening and yard work, watching a movie, traveling, or a drive to Maplewood State Park. No matter what they were doing, he loved having his best friend by his side. Steve also found so much happiness in time with his grandchildren. He adored taking his granddaughter, Gracie, on adventures exploring around the neighborhood, or tracking deer at nearby parks. He loved watching his granddaughter, Emma, play softball and cheering her on at games and practices. He loved having a new grandson, Cole, to snuggle, play, and chatter back and forth with. Steve’s family was everything to him.

Steve also highly valued his friendships, old and new. The friends he had for years were more like family to him, and he spoke of his friends often. An everyday situation could remind him of a funny story or an experience with a friend and he enjoyed sharing those stories with others. He truly loved people, learning about their lives and where they came from. He could often find connections with anyone he met and was a true people-person. One of his favorite memories was of his granddaughter, Emma, asking him “Papa, do you know everybody?!”

Steve loved being outdoors, taking long walks, traveling, exercising, shooting, and hunting. His Catholic faith was very strong, and he enjoyed attending church, getting to know others in the congregation, and being a part of his 6:05 am men’s bible study group.

Steve was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia in January of 2015 and underwent a bone marrow transplant at the University of Minnesota in June of 2015. Steve’s brother, August, donated the bone marrow that saved his life and gave him 9 more years of life. He became a cancer mentor at Sanford to help other people going through blood and bone marrow cancers. He found meaning and inspiration by supporting patients and families through their experiences with cancer treatment. The Leukemia returned in June of 2023 and Steve endured another bone marrow transplant on November 10, 2023. Despite the second bone marrow transplant and months of chemo, Leukemia was discovered yet again in October of 2024.

A heartfelt thank you to Roger Maris Cancer Center staff, for the kindness and compassion of the 7th floor Oncology staff at Sanford Hospital, and especially Dr. Gross and Dr. Maliske for giving Steve the best care and treatment throughout his diagnosis of Leukemia. Additional sincere gratitude to Dr. Brunstein and Dr. Juckett at the University of Minnesota.

Left to remember Steve are his wife, Ella; his daughters Amanda (Brandon) Bahr and Brianna (Benji) Schwartz; grandchildren Emma (12), Gracie (10), and Cole (1); brothers August (Jackie) Bulat and Peter (Annette) Poma; aunt Donna Fura; as well as other close extended family members, including brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Steve was preceded in death by his grandmother (Stella Fura), his parents (Stefan and Jennie Bulat), his stepmom (Vera Bulat), his nephew (August) and many extended family members.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Steve’s name are preferred to go to Roger Maris Cancer Center or Hope Lodge in Minneapolis, MN.