Obituary of Stephen Francis LaCasse

Stephen Francis LaCasse, age 76, of Mahtomedi, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on August 31, 2023 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.  

Steve was the fourth of ten children born to Louis and Lena LaCasse, December 14th, 1946 in Little Canada, MN.  He graduated from Hill High School in 1964 and attended the University of St Johns until he was drafted into the Army in 1967.  He served in Vietnam as a Private First Class.  After Vietnam, he married the love of his life, Annette Schwartzbauer, August 9, 1969.  Steve graduated from the University of Minnesota with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering in the Spring of 1972.  In the fall of 1972, he began his 32-year, distinguished career as an Electrical Engineer in Transmission for NSP/Xcel Energy corporations. After retiring from Xcel in 2005, he worked for Ulteig until 2015 when he officially retired from his long and successful career as an Electrical Engineer. 

Steve had 2 children who were his true pride and joy, as were his 5 grandchildren.  He loved them all uniquely in his quiet, engineer minded way.  Always there for them whenever he was needed. Steve also loved a good Brandy Manhattan while spending time with his longtime friends and family, golfing, traveling and listening to his 70’s playlists.  Later in life, Steve became an accomplished woodworker, creating furniture for family and friends, and regularly providing custom pieces for St. Peter’s Catholic Church in North Saint Paul.  

Steve was a kindhearted and loyal husband, father, and friend, who was always slow to anger but quick to chuckle. He will be dearly missed by all. 

Our heartfelt gratitude to the staff of New Perspectives Senior Living, Brighton Hospice, and CareApparent for the loving care provided to Steve during the final chapters of his journey.   

Preceded in death by parents, Louis and Lena; sister, Karen; brother, Mike; and nieces, Michelle, Elizabeth, and Kaitlyn. Survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Annette; beloved children, Joe (Kathy) and Karen (Andy); five treasured grandchildren, Emily, Matt (Karly), Maggie, Alex, and Ella; one sweet great-grandchild, Amelia; siblings, Ken (Rosemarie), Louis Jr. (Rosanne), Mary (Dave), Pat (Brien), Dennis (Debbie), Sue (Dave) and Beverly; along with numerous nieces, nephews and friends. 

A visitation to gather and honor Steve will be held on Monday, September 11, from 4-7pm at  Sandberg Funeral Home in North St. Paul, MN. A funeral service will be held at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, North St. Paul, MN on Tuesday, September 12th at 11 AM. Interment St. Mary’s Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the Alzheimer's Association.