Steven H Ojard

Steven H. Ojard, 80, of Knife River, died Wednesday, December 6,2023, at the Benedictine Living Community in Duluth, with his family at his side.

Steve was born to William and Dorothy (Ege) Ojard on September 9, 1943, in Duluth and was a life-long resident of Knife River. He graduated from Two Harbors High School in 1961 and on September 11, 1965, married Charlene Rasmussen. In 1970, Steve graduated from UMD. He was employed as an equipment operator for Ripley Sand and Gravel on the construction of I-35 south of Duluth, and later, worked on the extension of the Two Harbors breakwall. In 1978 he joined his father in the operation of Ojard Well Drilling and later owned and operated the business until retirement.  

Steve was an avid outdoorsman and since childhood had dreamed of having a place in the wilderness to hunt and fish. He realized his dream in 1990 when he and Char bought a camp on Rainy Lake in Canada, where they spent 29 years enjoying the Canadian wilderness with their family. Another dream was to learn to fly and own his own plane, which he also saw fulfilled. More recently he and Char enjoyed traveling the country in their motorhome.

He was a former member of the Kitchi Gammi Club, and the Rotary Club of Duluth. 

Steve was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Delores Lassonde.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Charlene; sons, Jacob (Amy) and Joshua (Chelsey); grandchildren, Josiah, Matteah, Rebekah, Emily, Taylor, and Anh; sisters, Annette (Don) Ruud and Judy (Frank) Bernhardt; and several nieces and nephews.