Steven Alex Karris

STEVEN ALEX KARRIS – Steven Alex Karris, age 67, passed away unexpectedly on December 16, 2024 at home in St. Michael.
Steve was born on May 27, 1957 in Minneapolis MN to Alex and Beverly Karris. His father Alex passed away when Steve was just one year old. His widowed Mom remarried when he turned two so the loving father he knew his whole life was Morris Torkelson. He grew up in Brooklyn Park, graduated from Anoka High School and attended the U of MN in the Air Force ROTC program as a pilot. When things quickly changed with the end of the Viet Nam War, he switched his major to Law Enforcement. He graduated from North Hennepin Community College with an Associate's Degree in Criminal Justice.
Steve was a decorated police officer and detective for most of his work career serving the people of South St. Paul and Brooklyn Center. He served as a hostage negotiator, SWAT team member and was on the Midwest Gang Task Force. He served for many years as a union steward and contract negotiator for his fellow officers. Steve also worked for Wells Fargo and the Osseo School District.
Steve volunteered countless hours over the years for Suburban Law Enforcement Association, organizing the annual school patrol field trip for four decades. He was a member of LEMA, MPPOA (board member), and the Emerald Society. Steve also was honored to receive the Minnesota-Irish American Officer of the Year Award. Our Pastor told him years ago that Law Enforcement is a calling from God and Steve was definitely called.
Steve loved the outdoors. He was an avid hunter and our freezer would be filled with meat from deer, geese, ducks, pheasant and amazing Prong Horned Antelope at any given time. He loved time spent with family and friends and even enjoyed the quiet solitude sitting up in his deer stand. He loved fishing with his brother and our whole family, most recently his grandchildren. He appreciated and respected all of God's handiwork.
Friends and family describe Steve as a good-natured man, unselfish, happy, prankster, always ready with a joke, story or smile and was always the first to offer help. He was the calm in every storm or situation, a quick thinker to solve problems or to make a funny or wry comment. He was well known for his humor.
Above serving others, Steve served God and family first. Jesus Christ was his personal Lord and Savior and his faith was always at the forefront. Steve and Sue were happily married over 46 years. They were blessed in life with three children, their spouses, grandchildren and countless family and friends from all walks of life. He loved us so well and we will miss his physical presence every moment. His Law Enforcement Family are people that he always held dear to his heart and treasured their friendship.
He is preceded in death by his parents Beverly and Morris Torkelson and his sister and brother-in-law Marlea and John Schiefelbein.
Steve is survived by his loving wife Sue Karris; brother, Phil Torkelson; three wonderful children (and spouses): Steven Karris (Jess), Sean Karris (Susanne), Nici Higby (Jake); seven amazing grandchildren: Ethan, Kinley, Lucy, Cooper, Kira, Colton and Ezra; and many more relatives and friends. We are all so grateful to have such wonderful extended family and friends.
Celebration of Life will be held Friday, January 3, 2025, at 11:00 AM with visitation one hour prior at The Peterson Chapel in St. Michael-Albertville (300 Main Street North).
Arrangements have been entrusted to The Peterson Chapel of St. Michael-Albertville. Online condolences for the family may be directed to www.thepetersonchapel.com