Stephen (Steve) J McCurdy

Stephen J. McCurdy passed away peacefully on February 27, 2025, in his home in Oakdale, MN. Steve was born in Oskaloosa, Iowa, on April 6, 1950, to the late Carroll F. McCurdy and Jessie Greene McCurdy. He grew up on a farm north of Cedar along with two brothers, Richard and Timm. He was an impish kid and won the Dennis the Menace contest as a young boy, featuring a picture of him covered head-to-toe in mud. Steve was a member of the Oskaloosa class of 1968 and was a singer in a rock band, The Upstairs Playground. After high school, Steve was drawn to the late 60's music scene in San Francisco with all its attendant highs and lows.

When that played out, he returned to Iowa City and fell in love with Teresa Russell whom he wed on June 3, 1972. She would provide him much needed love, support and direction for over 50 years. Together they raised three children, Cristin, Jessica, and Shaughn. Steve graduated from the University of Iowa in 1976 with a Bachelor's degree in Social Work (BSW.) He worked with several social service agencies in Iowa and Minnesota. He retired from the Dakota County Department of Social Services on January 20, 2017.

Steve was known for his long hair, indelible work ethic, and keen sense of humor which he often deployed. He loved his lakeside cabin near Thunder Bay, Canada, and foraging and eating morel mushrooms. He took great joy in his five grandchildren, Mariano, Leighla and Vanessa Morales, and Cleough and Georgie McCurdy. Besides the grandchildren, Steve is survived by his loving wife Teresa; daughter Cristin, Chicago; daughter Jessica Morales (Mario), Oakdale, MN; son Shaughn (Becky), White Bear Lake, MN; and two brothers, Richard (Jane), La Crosse, WI; and Timm (Debbie), Wichita, KS.