Steven Kozak

Steven “Steve” Robert Kozak, 51, of St. Charles, MN, passed away on August 13, 2022. 

He was born on August 30, 1970, in Madison, WI, to Robert and Marilyn (Ripp) Kozak. He grew up with two sisters, Renee and Julie, and he took on the “big brother” role very well. He was always very supportive. He and his sisters would play sports in the backyard until dark then move into the house singing and dancing to 70s music. Steve was a 1988 graduate of Sun Prairie High School. He was very athletic, participating on the high school tennis and varsity basketball teams. He also played club volleyball and softball, and loved to golf. He earned his bachelor's degree from University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in real estate with a minor in finance. After graduating college, Steve worked in real estate and bartended at various bars and restaurants. Many good times were spent behind the bar at Chi-Chi’s and Outback with his buddies. 

Steve moved to Rochester, MN, in 2001 after meeting the love of his life, Tracie Swing. They were united in marriage on October 16, 2004, in Las Vegas, Nevada. A year later they moved to St. Charles to start their family. They were blessed with two amazing children, Tatem and Tommy. Steve loved going to all of their sporting events and school activities. He would do anything for his family. Steve was a great role model for his kids and taught them many life lessons, including the importance of always looking for an opportunity to play a practical joke. 

Steve was the kind of person that did random acts of kindness. He would go house to house mowing lawns in the neighborhood to those in need. Steve strived for perfection when mowing the lawn (never cut corners, always trim and edge, and keep straight lines) and washing his car (always wax once a year, keep tires clean, and keep your fingers off the windows). He was also an avid Wisconsin sports fan and he let everyone know it. He never missed a Packers or Badgers game. He loved following the Bucks and Brewers. Steve was the life of the party with his quick wit, and excellent backup singing skills during “Build me up Buttercup.” He loved being surrounded by his friends and family for a cocktail…the more the merrier (the friends that is).

Words cannot adequately express the Kozak family's deep appreciation to the doctors, nurses and staff from Mayo Clinic/St. Mary's, specifically Dr. Rivera and the TCGS team; their tremendous support and partnership on this journey will forever be remembered.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to one of the following organizations:  Students in Need Fund, c/o St. Charles High School, 600 E. 6th St, St. Charles, MN 55972, or the Hometown Resource Center in St. Charles (https://hometownrc.org/). 

Steve is survived by his mother, Marilyn Kozak; wife, Tracie Kozak; children, Tatem and Tommy Kozak; sisters, Renee (Chris) Ramirez, Julie (Nikki) Kozak; father- and mother-in-law, Charles and Brenda Swing; aunts, Carol Ripp, Diane Tupper, Darlene Lewis; godson, Lance (Bradley) Lattimer; and many cousins. 

He is preceded in death by his father, Robert Kozak; grandparents, Peter and Marie Kozak, Martin and Katherine Ripp; and uncles, Kenneth Ripp and Floyd Tupper.

A celebration of Steve’s life will be held on Monday, August 22, 2022, at The Garage in St. Charles, MN, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A memorial service and Christian Mass will be held on Thursday, August 25, 2022, at St. Albert the Great Catholic Church in Sun Prairie, WI at 11 a.m. There will be a visitation 1 hour prior to the service, starting at 10 a.m.