Steven Peter Haugesag

Steven Peter Haugesag (Steve), age 66 passed away unexpectedly on Friday, May 1st at Howard Young Medical Center in Woodruff, WI. Steve was born on June 5, 1959 in Minneapolis, MN the son of Stanford and Jane (née Gauger) Haugesag. He married Susan Berigan on August 24, 2013.

Steve attended New Holstein High School, Lakeshore Technical Institute Associates Degree and Milwaukee School of Engineering where earned his Bachelor of Science degree.

He worked for Detector Electronics 33 years, had been Happily Retired for 8 years during which we moved to Valencia, Spain for 3 years and he took up Freelance Nature Photography specializing in spectacular sunrises and sunsets, loons, hummingbirds and other birds, butterflies, flowers and Northern Lights

Steve belonged to many organizations: Cycling without Age (ADRC) pilot and trainer, Board Member Pastime Club, Lakeland Area Photographic Club, Former Boy Scout Leader for 20+ years, member of Northwoods Ski Touring Association (NSTA), Shish Gunlock Lake Association (SGLA), and was the founding organizer of “Yes I have a big camera so that means I am a Professional Photographer!” in Valencia, Spain

He volunteered his time at Meals on Wheels, Winter Park Tea House, Adopt a Highway Cleanup, presented at Nicollet College Learning in Retirement, spent 19 years as a water stop captain for Twin Cities Marathon, was on the Social Justice Committee at Northwoods Universalist Unitarian Fellowship, and did bicycling trail advocacy.

His interests and hobbies included: cycling, kayaking, loons, hiking, camping, world traveling, captive rearing Monarch butterflies, birding, baking- especially breads, cakes, and Norwegian desserts. He ran 9 Marathons, completed Ride Across MN multiple times, and was a dedicated blood donor. He was passionate about music in most forms: a fan of Cloud Cult, Anna Lapwood and Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. He loved dancing, attending the MN State Fair where he met and married Susan 3 years later, and they completed the 485 mile Camino de Santiago hike in 2019.

He is survived by his wife Susan and children: Justin (Chelsea Johnson-Haugesag), Dylan (Marissa Hayday), Kathryn Peters (Steve Walsh), Sarah Peters, Elizabeth Peters (Adrianna Hogan) and by grandchildren: James and Liam Walsh. He is further survived by his siblings: Greg (Mary) Haugesag, Todd (Lori) Haugesag, Jarlath (Mikal) Hendee, Randy (Marilyn Gunn) Olejnicak, Marshall (Patti) Solem, Foster Solem, Kristen Carlson and by his in-laws: Mike (Karen Akerloff) Berigan, Mary (Joe) Schubauer Berigan, Patty (Don) Young, Bill (Nancy) Berigan and by Beverly Bergman, Chuck Berigan (F-I-L), Denise Berigan-Pirro (Bob Pirro), Kelly Pirro, Lia Pirro

Also by his Nieces/Nephews: Linnea (Bob) Boyd, Nicole Norton, Averi Haugesag, Jessie Mayes, Lindsay Mayes, Jim (Cassie) Ahlin, Tyler Olejnicak, Sunni Olejnicak, Julia Solem, Molly Solem, Liam Berigan, Cormac (Chloe) Berigan, Kieran Berigan, Kevin Young, Lauren Young, Jack Young, Patrick Berigan, Maggie Berigan

Steve was preceded in death by his parents Stanford L. Haugesag, Jane (Gauger) Solem, Duane J. Solem, Marion K. Haugesag

Steve's family requests that attendees of his Celebrations of Life wear bright colors in honor of Steve who had a deep appreciation of the beauty of the Northwoods and the Natural World. He never met a stranger and could make a connection through his stories with almost anyone.

There will be a Celebration of Life at Northern Star Scouting Base Camp, Bloomington, MN on Saturday, May 16, 2026 from 11am to 2pm. Please proceed to the large brown brick building. Light lunch will be served.

A second Celebration of Life for Steve will be held on Saturday, May 30th from 1:00 to 4:00 pm at North Lakeland Discovery Center in Manitowish Waters, WI.

Memorial donations to Cycling Without Age, Plant a Tree or the American Bird Conservancy

Online condolences may be shared at nimsgernfuneral.com

NIMSGERN FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES IS SERVING THE FAMILY.