Stephen Ralph Caillier

Stephen R. Caillier, age 97 of Crookston, MN, passed away peacefully at Villa St. Vincent on Saturday, February 15, 2025.

 Steve was born May 15, 1927, in Crookston, MN. He grew up on the family farm near Gentilly, MN one of 13 children, and was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Gentilly. He rode a horse-drawn buggy to a one-room school near home, then graduated from Northwest School of Agriculture in Crookston, Class of 1944. 

 Steve met Elizabeth (Betty) Ann Dowdle at Mentor dance hall and they united in marriage on his birthday in 1951 at Cathedral Catholic Church in Crookston. Steve and Betty ran the family farm for nearly 40 years, raised four children, then retired to Crookston in 1994. Steve spent many happy retirement years driving tractor for son Dan, free from worry and stress. He was a longtime member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Gentilly and served on the Gentilly Township Board. As of 2024, Steve was a 79-year member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Crookston, MN Aerie #873. In 1981, Dahlgren’s awarded Steve with the Interstate Seed Super Sunflower Grower Award. Steve will be fondly remembered as a hardworking farmer and avid gardener, a huge WWE fan, and an excellent raspberry jam maker. One of his favorite summertime pastimes was going fishing at Lake of the Woods. 

 Steve was preceded in death by Betty, wife of 65 years who passed away in 2016. Also, parents Ed and Maria (LaFromboise) Caillier; sisters Marion (Louis) Plante, Lucy, Lorraine, Annette (Tom) Fournier, Josephine (Harvey) Boucher, and Elayne (Les) Hannah; brothers Joseph, Bob (Esther), Jerry (Pat), Paul (Jeanette), and Norman (Mary). 

 He is survived by children, Edward (Linda) Caillier, Vadnais Heights, MN, Daniel (Elena) Caillier, Gentilly, MN, Craig (Renee) Caillier, Thief River Falls, MN, and Cheryl (Dale) Amiot, Brooklyn Park, MN; grandchildren-Aaron, Timothy, Ross, Jeffrey, Jordan, Katie, Kelly, Jessica, Jacob; 14 great-grandchildren; and sister Yvonne Marra of Phoenix.

 The family would like to thank the staff of the Villa as well as Ethos Hospice Care for their professionalism and caring support of Steve.

There will be a Mass held in honor of Steve on Friday, February 21, 2025, at the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception in Crookston. Visitation with the family will begin at 1:00 PM, Mass will start at 2:00 PM; Msgr. David Baumgartner will be presiding. Burial will take place at a later date in the Spring.