(Paul) Steven Furuseth passed away on May 29, 2026, at the age of 78, with his wife beside him and surrounded by the trees and wilderness he loved so deeply.

Steve was born on April 19, 1948, the second son of Paul and (Sadie) Iris Furuseth. As a baby, he was often placed in a crib with his older brother Peder and cousin Mark. These three boys became known as "The Vikings," a nickname that followed them throughout their lives.

He was soon joined by four more brothers, and together the six Furuseth boys turned Paradise Acres, the family homestead outside Thief River Falls, into exactly what six adventurous boys would turn it into: a place of forts, expeditions, wrestling matches, baseball games, endless mischief, and occasional acts of questionable brotherly diplomacy. The boys and their many cousins roamed the woods, devoured raspberries and peas from Iris's garden, and, according to family legend, sometimes tied an overly annoying younger brother to a tree until everyone had cooled off.

He was a gifted wrestler, placing fourth at the 1965 Minnesota State Wrestling Tournament during the era of a single-class competition. He continued wrestling at Northland Community and Technical College and later at Gustavus Adolphus College.

At 19, Steve met Arlene Wilson. They married three years later and spent 55 years building a life rooted in family, education, laughter, and the outdoors. Together they raised their daughters—Lisa, Erica, and Sadie—and shared countless canoe trips, campfires, and adventures.

After graduating from Gustavus, Steve began his teaching career in Wadena and soon moved to Roseau, where he spent more than two decades teaching science, coaching wrestling, and mentoring generations of students…..often while seated at The Round Table eating pizza. He later earned a master’s degree in education and was nominated for Teacher of the Year in 1981.

In 1995 Steve semi-retired, grew his hair long, adopted a ponytail and joined Arlene at Furuwood Sugarbush near Detroit Lakes, proudly serving as the self-described “grunt worker.” At the end of each syrup season, Steve would report—with great disappointment—that he had once again failed to earn Arlene's coveted "Worker of the Year" award. This perceived injustice may have contributed to his decision to cut off the ponytail and return to teaching.

His final teaching position was at the White Earth Reservation school, a place that challenged him, inspired him, and touched his heart deeply. It was some of the most meaningful work of his career.

Family adventures became a way of life. Each summer, Steve and Arlene loaded up the truck-bed camper, the family dog and the kids, then pointed the vehicle toward the horizon. Together, they led their family across North America, exploring the towering redwoods of California, the mountains of Idaho, and countless miles of back roads, campgrounds, and unexpected discoveries.

Yet nowhere captured Steve's heart quite like the Quetico-Superior country of northern Minnesota and Ontario. Steve and Arlene led trip after trip into the wilderness with friends, church groups, students, and family members. Together they introduced hundreds of young people to paddling, portaging, campfires, loons calling across the water, and the kind of silence that can only be found deep in the wilderness. One island is now known as “Teacher Island” by local residents after becoming a favorite camping site.

Steve loved fishing, science, history, practical jokes, spirited debate, and any excuse to be outdoors. He could strike up a conversation with anyone, tell a story that improved with every retelling, and make people laugh almost anywhere he went.

He was preceded in death by his parents and by his beloved older brother, Peder Furuseth, the first of “The Vikings” to be lost.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Arlene; daughters Lisa (Todd) Olsen, Erica (Jeff) Griffin, and Sadie (Will) Albrecht; eight grandchildren, Steven (Chelsey) Cullen, Chaz Cullen, Loren Griffin, Brodan Albrecht, Fisher Griffin, Bridgette Albrecht, Brileigh Albrecht, and Bridger Albrecht; two great-grandchildren, Leon Cullen and Erzaa Cullen; and his brothers Ed, David, Dale, and Lee, along with many cousins, dear friends, former students, and fellow adventurers.

Steve lived fully, loved deeply, laughed often, and never lost his sense of wonder. He will be remembered in every paddle stroke across a quiet lake, every campfire shared with friends, and every story that grows a little better each time it is told.

A Celebration of Life honoring Steve will be held at Furuwood Sugarbush on Saturday, August 29, beginning at 10:00 a.m. Please contact Lisa, Erica, or Sadie for location information.

Come prepared to share stories, sing a few songs, and celebrate a life well lived.

On Sunday August 30th we will have a burial for Steve at 2:00 pm at Park Ridge Cemetery, 180th St NE, Thief River Falls, MN.