Steven John Wennblom
June 29, 2024
Born in:
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Resided in:
Fargo, North Dakota
Steven John Wennblom, 68, passed away on June 29, 2024, at Bethany Retirement Living in Fargo, ND, surrounded by his family. Born in 1956, he was raised as the eldest son of John and Lola Wennblom of Sioux Falls, SD, with siblings Sally, Sue, Sonja, Daniel and Nathan. Steve lived throughout South Dakota, Minnesota, and North Dakota. He graduated from the Magic City Campus in Minot, North Dakota, and received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Speech Communication from the University of North Dakota.
Steve met his wife, Carol Renner, in the student radio station at UND. They have been together for over 40 years. They married in 1987 and eventually settled in Fargo with their daughter, Hilary. Steve’s greatest joy came from spending time with his family and friends. Carol, Hilary, and other family members meant the world to him.
Journalism and telling the story well were imperative to Steve. With more than 20 years of broadcast news and public affairs experience, Steve served as producer and general assignment reporter in radio and television stations in Illinois, Oregon, Arizona and North Dakota. He was part of the inaugural staff of North Dakota Public Radio in Bismarck, ND. During his career, he also served as part and fulltime News Assignment editor and a reporter/noon anchor for the CBS affiliate KXJB in Fargo, ND. In 2000, he began working for Prairie Public Broadcasting, Fargo, ND, first serving as Executive Producer and team leader for a 5-year flood mitigation and river education project called RiverWatchonline. He went on to become Program Manager and a Documentary Producer.
During his career, Steve received numerous accolades for his work. He won awards from various organizations including: the Mental Health Association of North Dakota, North Dakota Associated Press, Minnesota Associated Press, and Northwest Broadcast News Association. In addition to awards from the New York Film Festival of Rochester, New York, he also received National Telly Awards for documentaries he produced over the years. The documentary “Flowers of the Church,” which he produced, was nominated for a Midwest Regional Emmy.
Steve enjoyed sailing, woodworking, gardening and was an avid reader. For many years, he was active at St. John Lutheran Church serving in an array of roles including church council member and president. He also served in the worship and music committee, the youth committee, as a reader and assisting minister. In order to continue having music in his life, after participating in the Varsity Bards at UND, Steve joined the church choir and other local arts groups throughout the years, occasionally serving as soloist.
He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Lola Wennblom, brother Nathan Wennblom, in-laws Casper and Caroline Renner, as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. He is survived by his wife Carol, daughter Hilary, his siblings, extended family and friends.
His family and friends will cherish the memories made with him. The family is thankful to friends, family and caregivers through his journey, including staff at Bethany Retirement Living and Ethos Hospice.
Standing 6’5”, with a big and generous heart, he made it a point to help others during his life. Steve’s life can be commemorated by donating to the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration, food bank or your local charity.
A Celebration of Life will be arranged by Boulger Funeral Home of Fargo, ND, and held at a later date.
Steve and I were friends and colleagues for a long time. Not only was he a good, solid reporter; he was one of the nicest guys I ever knew in journalism. We bonded during the summer of 1992, when we were among those who spent two mornings a week outside the WHO, waiting for protests to start (Steve figures in one of my favorite stories, which I unfortunately can’t tell here, no fault of his).
A truly good man.
Carol and Hillary. I am so sorry to read this. Steve was always very caring for everyone. My prayers for peace and strength for both of you. Pat Pobst
My sympathies to Steve’s family. I worked with Steve at Prairie Public Radio in Bismarck. He’s was very compassionate, understanding and just a down right good guy. He will be missed for sure.❤️
The Magic City Campus Class of 74 is sad to read of Steve’s passing. We just celebrated our 50th class reunion and are still proud to be the first and largest attending class at Magic City Campus. It was fun to read of Steve’s accomplishments and dedication to his family and community. He has used his talents in a kind and generous way. Blessings to you all. RIP Steve.
MHS MCC Class of ‘74
I was a classmate of Steve at Minot high school.. He was a really good guy in high school, and obviously, reading the obituary, that pattern continued throughout his life. So very sorry to hear of his passing, especially on the weekend of our 50th class reunion from high school. My sincerest condolences to all of his family
I will look back on the kindness you showed during the time I was getting started at Prairie Public and thank you for being so kind, friendly and extremely knowledgeable.
To family:
My deepest condolences for your loss. I hope these thoughts help you find some peace during this time.
Steve was my supervisor at Prairie Pubic. He taught this green hand so much about tv programming and what Prairie Public was all about. He was so patient with me – I’ll forever be grateful. He would go above and beyond for his staff. He was also one of the kindest men I have ever met. You will be missed by many. My sincerest sympathies to Carol and Hilary.
Terri Greene
I graduated with Steve from Minot High School in ’74 and he was also part of the youth group at First Lutheran Church in Minot. I always knew him to be a kind person and have a number of good memories of him from our high school days as well as of his sisters, Sue and Sally. I’m so sorry to hear of your loss of such a kind, thoughtful person. My heart goes out to all of you. There are a couple of Bible verse I love when a dear one passes away and they are, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” Psalms 116:15 and “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18. May these verses bring you comfort. Prayers for you all.
Oh my. I just loved spending time with Steve waaay back in the day. Fun and funny to be around and so kind. He was my dance partner in Li’l Anner at MHS and a frequent chauffeur between Grand Forks and Moorhead in college. Steve will always be a fond memory for me. My condolences to his loved ones.
Carol & Hilary–so sorry to hear of Steve’s passing onto a better place. We hope your grieving turns to fond memories. You are in our thoughts & prayers.
I worked with Steve during his time at KXJB. He was truly a kind soul who always did a great job and helped others along the way. I feel very fortunate to have known him. My condolences to all.