Steven P. Lunde

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Steven Paul Lunde, beloved father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend, passed away peacefully on November 6, 2025 at the age of 76. Steve’s life was marked by kindness, warmth, and a deep love of community.

Steve was born November 3, 1949, in Detroit Lakes, MN, the second of five children to Stanley and Eldora (Stende) Lunde. He grew up on a dairy and grain farm east of Ulen, MN, where he learned the value of hard work and service. With that foundation, Steve graduated from Ulen High School in 1967 and went on to attend Fergus Falls Junior College.

From a young age, music was a creative outlet for Steve; he was drawn to music and performing. The Lunde home was filled with music and his most joyful moments were spent around the piano singing with his family. Steve began singing at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ulen. As he grew more comfortable and confident, he performed in choirs, musicals, ensembles, and solos throughout his high school and college years. In the early 1970’s, Steve taught himself to play the guitar and he performed regionally with the bands “Mr. Dynamite and the Boogie Boys” and “Burlington”, where he also showcased his talents as a singer and a trombone player.

In 1978, Steve married Connie (Bates). When Stanley and Eldora built a new home across the road, Steve and Connie moved into the Lunde home on the farm where they raised four children: Emily, Marcus, Thomas, and Jonathan. Steve farmed for a time with his father and brother-in-law, Mike Lockhart, worked as a Unit Advisor with Lutheran Brotherhood, and sold seed to local farms with Dahlgren & Company. Steve loved nurturing the land and operated the family-owned “Henhouse Greenhouse” for several years in rural Ulen.

After farming, Steve built a successful career as a Realtor in the Red River Valley later co-owning and managing RE/MAX Realty 1. Steve approached his work the same way he approached life, with integrity and a genuine interest in the community and the people he served. He formed lasting bonds with clients and colleagues, where he was known for his expertise, warmth, and professionalism. Steve served as the President of the Fargo-Moorhead Area Association of Realtors and was recognized with the Distinguished Service Award and Lifetime Achievement Award from RE/MAX. With his years of service, he enthusiastically mentored new Realtors, to include his star student, his middle son Tom.

Steve found immense joy in music. His pure tenor voice graced countless choirs over the years. Whether performing formally or singing among family and friends, he shared his gift generously. Steve was a passionate supporter of local music and a proud member of the Master Chorale of Fargo-Moorhead for nearly 30 years. The Master Chorale was an important part of his life, and he proudly invited family and friends to concerts to share in his joy of singing. Steve continued to share his love of music as a member of the Messiah Lutheran Festival Choir for many years. His energy and love of music was infectious. As the end of his life neared, his lifelong appreciation of music offered comfort and a familiar connection to others and his past.

Above all, Steve cherished his family. He took tremendous pride in his children and grandchildren, celebrating every milestone and offering constant encouragement and love. He proudly attended every sporting event, concert, and program to support his children and grandchildren. He built memories through numerous family trips and proudly reminisced while pointing out locations on his oversized map of the world. As a grandfather, he brought laughter, warmth, and stories that will live on in the memories of his grandchildren. He was legendary for his evening “pop-overs,” where he would sugar up the grandkids, crank their energy to maximum, and then make a quick getaway – leaving their parents to start the bedtime routine all over again. His wisdom, steady guidance, and unconditional love shaped the lives of his family.

Steve moved into the enhanced assisted living at Lilac Homes in Dilworth, MN in November of 2024. At Lilac Homes he was an outgoing member of a closeknit community where he received exceptional care from many nurses, caretakers, and staff as he battled Alzheimer’s Disease. In April 2025, Steve began receiving support from HIA Hospice who provided comfort and compassion to Steve and his family.

Steve’s legacy is one of warmth, kindness, and song. He leaves behind a community that will deeply miss his voice, his presence, and his love. His voice, his laughter, and his spirit will echo lovingly in the hearts of all who knew him.

Steve is survived by his family. His four children: Emily (Mark) Moench of Fargo, Marcus (Alicia Goodthunder) Lunde of Redwood Falls, MN, Thomas (Jayme) Lunde of Fargo, and Jonathan (Jessica) Lunde of Elizabethtown, KY. His grandchildren: Vance Moench, Andrew Moench, Anistain Lunde, Kolby Lunde, Robert Halvorson Jr., Reese Regnier, Landon Halvorson, Brody Halvorson, Luella Lunde, Luca Lunde, Lennox Lunde, Graham Lunde, and Harrison Lunde. His siblings: Carol Lockhart, Collene (Ed) Anderson, Ann (Duane) Shane, Alan (Christine) Lunde. His nieces and nephews: Jeff (Sommer) Lockhart, Jean (Rob) Schwartz, Seth (Randi) Anderson, Cara (Nick) Herzog, Ingrid (Adam) Johnson, Rebecca (Kyle) Jorgenson, Benjamin Shane, Rachel (Brian) Guler, Eric Lunde, Ellie (Peyton) Rohloff and numerous great nieces and nephews, cousins, foster siblings, and many dear friends and colleagues. He is also survived by aunts Arlene “Bub” Nygaard and Marilyn Nygaard.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Eldora and Stanley, brother-in-law Mike Lockhart, and infant granddaughter Isla Grace Lunde.

A celebration of Steve’s life will be held on November 12th at 11:00 AM at Messiah Lutheran Church in Fargo, ND. Visitation will take place one hour prior to services.