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Steve O'Donnell, age 73, passed away on May 25, 2023 at Sanford Hospital in Bismarck, N.D. after a valiant battle with cancer.

Mass of Christian Burial for Steve will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 30, 2023 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Lemmon.  Burial will follow at the Morristown Cemetery with Father Adam Hofer and Father Grant Gerlach officiating.

Visitation will be Monday, May 29 from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Evanson Jensen Funeral Home in Lemmon.

A rosary/vigil will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, May 29, 2023 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Lemmon.

Steve was born on April 29, 1950 in Mobridge, SD to John and Evelyn O'Donnell.  The second of four children, Steve grew up on the family farm/ranch at Keldron, South Dakota.  He attended grade school in Morristown, SD and completed high school graduating from Lemmon High School in 1968.

From an early age, dirt and the miracle of growing things were his passion.  He often told others he'd get up early as a kid so he could beat his older brother to the field and tractor to avoid barn chores.  Growing up, he was a member of 4-H and played summer ball.  His fondest memory of baseball was hitting his one and only grand slam.

After graduating high school, Steve studied data processing and then took a job with a seismograph crew eventually traveling to Florida with the job.  Because of a health issue, Steve was told that the heat and humidity of the Sunshine State were not a good fit for healing.  Steve drove back to Brookings, SD and surprised his then girlfriend, Linda Wolff, who was attending SDSU.  That December, he gave Linda an engagement ring for Christmas, and they were married on June 16, 1972.  They settled south of Morristown on the place his great- granddad homesteaded.  Steve worked on the farm/ranch with his dad, and followed Linda to Brookings for the next three years after fall harvest was finished.  While in Brookings Steve worked construction on the SDSU student union and delivered propane, returning to the farm/ranch each spring for planting.

Once back home after Linda's graduation, the couple settled in on the farm/ranch.  In 1984, they adopted their son, Devin, and three years later, adopted their daughter, Sarah.  In addition to farming and ranching, Steve found time to build the family's house where they've lived for 37 years.

Steve loved God, family, and the land.  He never missed an opportunity to talk with people—neighbor and stranger alike.  Optimistic by nature, he always saw the bright side or lived through adversity with hope in a better tomorrow.  Steve had a quick smile, a kind heart, and he never hesitated to lend a helping hand.

Steve is survived by his wife of 50 years, Linda; his son, Devin (Kayla) O'Donnell; daughter, Sarah (Ryan) Conrad; grandchildren: Alec O'Donnell, Emma O'Donnell, Isabella O'Donnell, Olivia O'Donnell, John Paul O'Donnell, Dane Conrad, and Theodore Conrad; brother, Dennis; sister, Jeanine (David) Gerlach; nine nieces and nephews; and mother-in-law, Elaine Wolff.  He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Evelyn O'Donnell; his brother, Tracy O'Donnell; his sister-in-law, Fran O'Donnell; and his father-in-law, Julian Wolff.