Steven Lee Granneman, age 74, of Lakeville, passed away peacefully at his home on June 8, 2025. He is preceded in death by his parents, John and Alvera, and his brother, David. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Margaret; daughter, Jennifer Lee Granneman; beloved grandson, Apollo Finn Granneman Jacob; siblings: Dale (Deborah), Joan (Bruce) Fodness, Mark (Cleo), Brian (Pam), and Stewart; sister-in-law, Joni Granneman; and many loving nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at All Saints Catholic Church (19795 Holyoke Ave, Lakeville). Visitation will be held from 5–8 p.m. on Monday, June 16, at White Funeral Home (20134 Kenwood Trail, Lakeville), and one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday.

Steve was kind, smart, patient, and quiet—a "gentle giant," as he's been described. He was born on January 3, 1951, in Tyler, Minnesota, the second oldest of seven siblings. Growing up on a farm, he found plenty of ways to get into trouble with his brothers. Steve and Dave were known for tying bells to a rake, dangling it out of a second-story window, and tapping on the glass so their younger siblings would think it was Santa's sleigh.

He graduated from Luverne High School in 1969 and went on to study chemistry and biology at the University of Minnesota–Duluth, graduating in 1973. After graduation, he moved to Minneapolis, where he met his wife, Marge, at a party in their apartment building. Marge remembers that she almost didn't go to the party, but as fate would have it, she showed up and found herself seated next to calm, quiet Steve and his outgoing brother Dave, who did most of the talking. Marge says she had a moment when she just knew Steve was the one for her. They were married on August 27, 1977. Together, they made their home in Lakeville and were often seen polka dancing at weddings and other celebrations, a tradition they had learned from Steve's parents. In 1982, Steve's "favorite" (and only) child, Jennifer, was born.

Steve spent most of his career in the veterinary pharmaceutical industry, making medicine for farm animals and pets. For a time, he ran his own business, New Decade Labs, employing and mentoring teens in the Farmington area, including his daughter and her friends, who helped fill bottles and paste labels. He also worked at Fagron in Eagan, and in retirement, he worked part-time at the vision center in Walmart, selling glasses and contacts. He gave back to the community by serving as a local election judge for many years and volunteering at All Saints Catholic Church, where he cleaned and replaced the chapel candles.

In his free time, Steve took his daughter Jenn on bike rides to the local grocery store to buy M&Ms. He took great pride in Jenn's career as a teacher and author and passed on his love of science and photography to her. Later in life, he found great joy playing trains, Stop and Go, and other imagination games with his beloved grandson, Apollo. He had begun to share his love of science with Apollo, and together they conducted many fun "experiments." A few days after his passing, the family was touched to receive a science kit in the mail—one that Steve must have purchased for Apollo shortly before his death.

Steve was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather. Once he knew you, he became a loyal, lifelong friend. He enjoyed helping Marge feed the squirrels and birds that visited their backyard and always had at least one cat in the house. Steve never met a plant he didn't like and always found a spot for it in his yard.

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