Steven “Louie” Lee Kaas, aged 56 of Russell, MN, passed away on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at the Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD, from complications of cancer. A public memorial service will take place at Veterans Park in Minneota on September 4, 2026, at 1:00 pm followed by a reception at the Southwest Sportsman’s Club in Minneota until 5:00 pm. An official service with military honors and interment will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery at a later date. The Horvath Funeral Service in Marshall is handling the arrangements.
Steve was born on March 8, 1970, in Marshall, MN, to Leslie “Butch” and Sheryl (Hovland) Kaas. He graduated from Dawson-Boyd High School in 1988 then briefly attended Fergus Falls Technical School. After deciding he wanted to serve our country, he enlisted in the United States Navy on August 31, 1989. Steve completed basic training at Recruit Training Command (RTC) Orlando in Orlando, FL. After graduating from RTC, Steve transferred to Norfolk, VA, then attended the U.S. Navy Aerographer’s Mate “A” School at Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul, IL. From there, Steve transferred to U.S. Naval Support Activity Souda Bay in Crete, Greece, until his discharge from active duty on October 26, 1993. While stationed in Greece, Steve met fellow Sailor Rebecca (Higgins). The couple were married on August 28, 1993. Upon Rebecca’s transfer to her next duty station, they returned stateside and settled in Jacksonville, FL, then later returned to Minnesota, living in Marshall and Lynd before settling in Russell, MN. Steve worked at Performance Foodservice in Marshall before suffering a hip injury on the job which led to an early retirement. Post-retirement, he kept himself busy by furthering his knowledge in any and all subjects from severe weather/storm chasing, learning Spanish, setting up financial portfolios for family, and virtual dirt racing with numerous friends in Australia. He had a sardonic sense of humor, razor sharp wit, and was smart as a whip. He never tired of learning new things. He also enjoyed fishing, hunting (animals and asparagus), watching sporting events, and “shootin’ the breeze” with countless friends and acquaintances. He was especially proud of the time he spent playing high school sports, where he enjoyed the camaraderie of peers and gained life-long friends. Steve was a brave and loyal sailor, having served during the Gulf Wars (Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm) where he faithfully served his country. He was a husband, a son, a brother, an uncle, a nephew, a cousin, and a friend. He was deeply cared for and will be terribly missed.
He is survived by his wife, Rebecca (Higgins) Kaas of Russell, MN; mother, Sheryl (Hovland) Kaas of Canby, MN; siblings, Scott and Brooke (Gilman) Kaas of Lansing, IA; Staci (Kaas) and Jason Carstens of Canby, MN; and Shawn Kaas of Slayton, MN. Nephews and nieces, Mathew Kaas of Cedar Rapids, IA; Sarah Kaas of Iowa City, IA; Devyn Kaas of Lansing, IA; Baily Kaas of Mankato, MN; Will Weber of Canby, MN; and Ryan Siedschlag of Watertown, SD; his three cats, Owen, Lex, and Gabby of Russell. Also, numerous cousins, aunts, and uncles. Steve was preceded in death by his father, Leslie “Butch” Kaas; nephews, Jacob and Jordan Kaas, who died in infancy; grandparents Lois (Christensen) Gossen, William Kaas; and Alvin and Edna Hovland; Mother and Father In-law, Barbara (Murphy) and Richard Lyle; aunts, Arlyss Hovland, Jeanette Hovland, Kristi Breyfogle, Vicki Kaas; uncles, Lyle Hovland, Maurie Hovland; and beloved cat “Bugg.”
