Stephen P. "Steve" Shanesy

Stephen (Steve) P. Shanesy
July 19, 1956 – January 1, 2024
Stephen "Steve" Shanesy passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his beloved wife and children on January 1, 2024. Steve earned the nickname "the fly" for his mischievous childhood antics, and that twinkle-in-the-eye boyish nature never left him. In young adulthood, his ambition and drive were matched only by his ability to live life to the fullest, both of which powered him through his undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota and MBA from the University of Michigan. During his career as a marketing executive, he led award-winning campaigns at Procter & Gamble, Kraft Foods, Oscar Mayer, and Rayovac Corporation, and was known for innovation, a personable-yet-direct approach, freely sharing words of wisdom, and "the old finger twirl."
Following a cancer diagnosis in 2003, Steve left corporate America to "follow his bliss" full-time. Mere months after undergoing a double stem cell transplant, Steve was hefting 60-lb packs through the Oregon terrain in pursuit of big game and bigger views. He also found joy on the slopes of Telluride, in supporting his wife in her dream of opening a pet resort, and basking in the glow of the "light of his life" grandchildren.
His health struggles never dampened his spirits; the Vikings did that instead. May they win the Super Bowl every day of his afterlife while Steve cheers them on, The Captain chanting Skol at his side.
Steve was preceded in death by his father, David Shanesy. He is survived by his guardian-angel wife Renee, and two children, Kelsey (Dan) and Nick, two grandchildren, Cadence and Holly, mother (Anne Shanesy), siblings Susan Matthews (Frank), Scott Shanesy (Janet), Sheila Fleming (Mike), Dan Shanesy (Martha), and Jim Shanesy (Norma), many nieces and nephews, and friends both near and far.
Celebration of Life to be held at Lafayette Club, 2800 Northview Road, Minnetonka Beach on January 12, 2024. Visitation at 11:30 AM, celebration service at 12 PM (noon), with luncheon to follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Minnesota Land Trust, Wounded Warrior Project, or Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Huber Funeral & Cremation Services
Excelsior Chapel 952-474-9595