We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our beautiful son Steve, aged 38, on December 28, 2024 in Boise, Idaho.
Steven James Krag was born in Fort Frances, Ontario, on September 12, 1986. The shores of Rainy Lake were his home for his first 17 years. He was an active and inquisitive boy who loved people, sports and the outdoors. From an early age he demonstrated the qualities that served him, and those around him for the rest of his life – generosity, curiosity, compassion and humour. These qualities earned him many lifelong friends, not only in his younger years but through his life as he forged his way into adulthood.
He loved Rainy Lake and was fortunate enough to look at it every day through his front window when he was home. He enjoyed it by fishing boat, duck boat, canoe, sailboat, houseboat, tube and jumping through the holes he cut in the ice after warming up in the sauna that he built with his dad.
He travelled many miles by canoe in Quetico, Algonquin and other routes, but none were more special than his trip in his early teens down the first 500 miles of the Mississippi with his Dad, and friends, the McTaggarts; a trip he vowed to one day complete to the Gulf of Mexico.
Steve loved to play hockey and golf in his youth, but became passionate about the game of squash at a young age when he was introduced to the sport by his dad. He soon told his family that he had to quit hockey as it was interfering with squash. He competed as part of his university team and could claim the title of being the first Sunset Country Squash Club team member to compete at a university level.
Steve began his work career as a kid working at The Great Bear in Fort Frances. He had a great work ethic and worked hard to do a job that he could take pride in, even if it was just lawn mowing or weed eating. Even as a young child he would say “I proud” when he knew he did a job well.
He was a very smart young man and could pursue any career he wished. He chose engineering and completed his degree in Chemical Engineering at the University of Waterloo. The co-op program enabled him to travel and work from coast to coast in the United States. During those university years he made lifelong friends and lived life to the fullest. He reconnected with many of those close university friends in person during the summer of 2024, or as he called it, the Summer of Steve.
After his graduation he chose a job in Boise, Idaho. He wanted to experience the outdoors in the mountain country. He developed passions for mountain biking, running, camping and back country snowboarding. He competed in the notorious Leadville 100 mountain bike race, billed as one of the most prestigious races in the world, but considered the Butte Montana 100 to be a bigger test. The 24hrs of Disco bike race in Stanley, Idaho introduced him to an area that became his favourite camping destination.
Despite being a chemical engineer, his passion was electricity, and he later achieved his Professional Electrical and Power Engineer designation. He loved to work with wireless industrial applications and control systems, and worked in that business for 12 years before starting his own company.
If he had a weakness it was for tools. But not just any tool. He subscribed to the axiom of “buy once, cry once” – buy quality tools that will last a lifetime. His extensive collection included hand tools, mountain bikes, woodworking tools, camping gear, even kitchenware. But it wasn’t a weakness, it was a strength that enabled him to execute his hobbies with pride, precision and skill. Many people were fortunate to receive one of the custom cutting boards that he created.
His passing leaves his family devastated. When he was was a young boy he always said he wanted to be good man. He surpassed that goal in so many ways. He was a great man. A loving son, brother, uncle, nephew and friend. He had a very close relationship with his mother and father, demonstrating and speaking his love for them his whole life. He always adored his older sister, would hang around her and her friends and could be seen trying to imitate her dance moves. A dedicated friend to many, he took such joy in fixing peoples’ household problems or helping them with their projects. It was never about what you could do for him, it was what could he do for you. His future knew no bounds. We were so fortunate to have him in our lives.
His life ended far too early.
He loved, and was loved. He was our hero, and we were proud of him every day.
Our family is eternally grateful for the compassion and generosity that has been extended to us during these difficult days. For the friends that have called to express their support and to relay stories about their lives with Steve, and to describe the depth of their friendships with him and how Steve helped them be a better person. For offers of assistance without hesitation and without limits. For the love, both shared and demonstrated. For the strangers that have helped us navigate this difficult process. For the unspoken thoughts and prayers.
Preceded in death by his paternal grandparents Bud and Helen; and maternal grandparents Delorne and Nancy.
Survived by his loving parents Jim and Kris; sister Jennifer (Olivia); cherished nephews Adam, Patrick and Tenneson; aunts, uncles, cousins, and his beloved pup Paduak.
A celebration of Steve’s life will be held at his home in Boise on January 24, followed by a celebration of life in Fort Frances at a later date.
In memory of Steve, do what Steve would do. Love your family and your friends; help those close to you and strangers alike; be generous to servers and the needy; and if you know anyone who struggles with a mental health illness, please show them compassion and give them support in any way you are able.
