Stephen J. Znameroski (Steve) went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on September 22, 2024. Steve was a dedicated husband, father, and grandfather who enjoyed tackling technical challenges during his 32-year career at 3M, studying the subtleties of world history and events, and helping his kids learn from homework and science projects.

Steve was born on July 28, 1950 in Virginia, Minnesota and was the youngest of four siblings. He ran track and played football for Roosevelt High School, where he graduated in 1968 as a member of the National Honor Society. Steve attended Virginia Junior College for a year before moving to Minneapolis to study Chemical Engineering at the University of Minnesota. He later graduated from Augsburg College with a degree in Physics.

In 1972, Steve met the love of his life, Debbie, at InterVarsity Christian Fellowship at the University of Minnesota. They married in August 1974 and had three children: Matthew, Rebecca, and Peter. Steve had accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior, and his faith was central to his life.

Steve began his career at Honeywell as a semiconductor technician before transitioning to the Honeywell Corporate Research Lab, where he worked on early solar cell technologies. He joined 3M in 1985, contributing to significant advancements in solar cell technologies, thin films, and fiber optics. He served for many years as a Senior Research Engineer for 3M, won multiple 3M Circle of Technical Excellence awards for his work, and was proud to contribute to four U.S. patents.

Steve cheered for the Minnesota Twins and the Gophers’ football and basketball teams and had a deep passion for World War II history. As a scientist at heart, Steve also enjoyed learning about aviation and space exploration. He became a leader in his church, serving as treasurer for Christ Church in Apple Valley for over a decade.

By the grace of answered prayer, Steve’s resilience was evident throughout his life. He survived lung cancer in 1997 and underwent heart surgery in 2017. In the last years of his life, he bravely battled Lewy Body disease.

Steve is preceded in death by his parents, Mary (Laskowski) and Joseph Znameroski of Virginia, Minnesota, his stepmother Elizabeth, his brother and sister-in-law, Thaddeus and Grace Znameroski, of Ohio, and brother-in-law, John N. Schumm, of Florida. Steve is survived by his beloved wife of 50 years, Deborah Schumm Znameroski, of Northfield, Minnesota, his children Matthew (Katie), Rebecca Stodelle (Scott), and Peter (Kassie), and six grandchildren: Tyler, Ingrid, Astoria, Taves, Sadie, and Berit. He is also survived by his sisters, Rosemary Davern (Lee) and Sue Ann Pinger (Richard), as well as sisters-in-law, Marilyn Houston and Katherine Schumm, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Steve will be greatly missed by family and friends who knew him as a scientist and engineer who thought in-depth about science, history, faith, and family. 

Memorials in his honor may be made to Compassion International, an organization that supports children worldwide.

A Celebration of Life will be held on November 2, 2024, at Christ Church, 12925 Johnny Cake Ridge Road, Apple Valley, MN 55124. The gathering will begin at 10:00 AM, followed by a service at 10:30 AM and a lunch to follow. 

Service online streaming: https://www.christchurchmn.or…

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