Steven D. Ness

Steven Darwin Ness, age 70, died peacefully on August 7, 2023 surrounded by his family. The last weeks of his life were spent under the caring staff of Mercy Hospital, Cottage Grove Place and St Croix Hospice of Cedar Rapids, IA.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, June 8, 2024 at Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown from 2-4 p.m.

Steve was born to Darwin and Dolores (Bossen) Ness on December 5, 1952 in Watertown, SD. He was baptized April 5, 1953 at Vienna Pleasant Lutheran Church, Vienna, SD and confirmed June 2, 1968 at St Anthony Park Lutheran Church, St Paul, MN. The family lived on Newton Hills State Park, Canton, SD and in Yankton, SD before moving to Moscow, ID. He attended grade schools in Moscow, ID and Roseville, MN, graduating from high school in 1971. Steve loved spending summers at his maternal grandparents’ farm with his siblings and two cousins, Jim and Kelly Peterson. Steve even considered becoming a farmer but his love for science and discovery took him to South Dakota State University (SDSU) in Brookings, SD. He earned the following degrees, Bachelor of Science and Masters in Engineering with emphasis in physics and math. In the summers during college he was employed by the Engineering Division of Argonne National Laboratory in Chicago, IL. Steve made some good friends while at SDSU and Argonne.

Steve met Sheila Frederick at SDSU in 1981. They were married October 9, 1982 in Long Beach, CA where they resided for the next 10+ years. During that time they were able to spend time with Sheila’s parents and her two brothers and their families. Steve was employed by Rockwell International of Anaheim, CA. Steve worked on many top secret missile guidance projects for the US government while in Anaheim. In 1993 Steve transferred to Rockwell Collins in Cedar Rapids, IA and worked as a component engineer until he retired in 2012 to help care for Sheila. Throughout his career he was highly respected, admired, and liked by his colleagues.

Steve and Sheila spent many Christmas vacations hiking in Death Valley, CA. They enjoyed traveling especially to San Francisco and throughout the Southwest. Steve loved John Wayne and westerns and could point out many locations where they were filmed. They also enjoyed many trips and going to the Renaissance fair with his family.

Steve was a man of many talents, interests and beliefs. He was a scientist, a philosopher, an artist with pencil, pen, paint, and a camera, a devoted Star Trek fan, a huge movie and music lover, and a major dog lover all of his life to list a few. He believed in good and evil and God and his country. He loved family and his friends and in turn was loved by them.

Steve was preceded in death by his cherished wife of 31 years, Sheila, father Darwin Ness, and sister-in-law Carolyn Ness. Steve is survived by his Mother, Dolores (Dee) Bossen Ness of Watertown, SD; sister Valoree Ness (James Gross) of Maple Grove, MN; brother Ferrand (Chip) Ness of Middlegrove, NY; niece Brandy (Jason) Lant, their children Jack and Garrett; nephew Eric Ness all of Saratoga Springs, NY; aunt Bonnie Bossen Vrondran of Vienna, SD; and many cousins.

Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel www.crawfordosthus.com Watertown, Hayti, De Smet, Bryant, Arlington, Lake Preston, Oldham

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