Shorewood, MN - Steven "Steve" Orlady Curry

1951 - 2026

Steve Curry, 74, passed away peacefully at his home in Shorewood, Minnesota on July 26th, 2026.

Steve was born on December 26, 1951 in Edina, Minnesota to John and Harriet Curry. Steve was a proud older brother to Lewis "Lew" and Charlotte "Char" Curry. At a young age, he developed a lifelong passion for the game of hockey. Steve helped lead Edina High School to its first Boys' Hockey State Championship in 1969 before continuing his standout career at the University of Notre Dame, where he served as team captain and graduated in 1974. Decades later, he returned to the game as an assistant coach for his son's high school hockey team, helping lead Breck School to its first Boys' Hockey State Championship in 2000.

It was also hockey that led Steve to meet the love of his life, Kathleen "Kathy". Kathy was his coach's daughter's roommate at Holy Cross School of Nursing, just down the street. Kathy and Steve started their life together in Minneapolis soon after graduating and married in 1977.

After beginning his career in international sales, Steve joined the Curry family business, Knutson Construction, in 1986 and was named President and CEO in 1992. Over the next three decades, he led the now 115-year-old company through significant growth and industry change, helping establish Knutson as a leading commercial general contractor in the Upper Midwest.

Steve's vision, commitment to people, and steadfast values helped shape the culture that continues to define the company today. He championed the company's core purpose, "Together We Make Dreams Real," and coined the company's longstanding promise to deliver "The Knutson Experience" to its employees, partners and clients. In the moments that mattered the most, Steve led with passion, perspective, and always did the right thing - even when it was difficult. After retiring as CEO in 2019, he served as Chairman of Knutson's Advisory Board until his passing.

For all of Steve's athletic and professional accomplishments, there was nothing in life that mattered more to him than family. Kathy was Steve's globetrotting partner in crime and lifelong confidant. Together, they built a home filled with love, encouragement, opportunity, and adventure for their son, John, and daughter, Megan. Whether gathered at the lake, spending time at their winter home in Arizona, or cheering from the sidelines at hockey games that took them from Minnesota to the East Coast and around the world, Steve and Kathy made sure their children always felt loved, supported, and celebrated. That same warmth extended naturally to John's wife, Shannon, and Megan's husband, Dan, whom Steve welcomed into the family with open arms.

Nothing brought Steve more joy than becoming "Grandpa Pablo" to his four grandsons: Lewis, Casey, Charlie, and William. They will forever cherish memories of golf cart rides, boat cruises, sleepovers, and his trademark Minnesota Goodbye - a big hug and kiss at the door, again in the driveway, once more as he buckled them into their car seats, and a big wave as we drove away. This was just one small example of his remarkable gift for making people feel deeply loved and cared for.

In late 2025, Steve was diagnosed with glioblastoma. Just days before his passing, he was able to join his family for one more boat ride — a cherished final memory together on the water.

Steve is survived by his beloved wife, Kathleen "Kathy" Curry; sister, Charlotte "Char" Curry; daughter, Megan Pogoda (Dan); son, John Curry (Shannon); and his cherished grandchildren, Lewis Curry, Casey Curry, Charlie Pogoda, and William Pogoda.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents, John and Harriet "Hattie" Curry, and his brother, Lewis "Lew" Curry.

The Curry family invites family, friends, and all who knew Steve personally to a Celebration of Life at Lafayette Club, 2800 Northview Rd in Minnetonka Beach on August 13 from 1:00 to 4:00 PM. The celebration will be an open-house format with no central program, so guests are welcome to arrive and depart at any point during the afternoon.

A private family ceremony will take place this fall in Arizona, where Steve will be laid to rest.

In honor of Steve, take a long walk, make someone laugh with a self-deprecating joke, and raise a glass to those you love at dinner tonight — he'd want nothing more than to know his spirit lived on in joyful moments like these.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the National Brain Tumor Society to advance research towards a cure for glioblastoma and other brain cancers. Steve's legacy of quiet generosity will continue through family donations in his honor to glioblastoma and Alzheimer's research, as well as organizations strengthening Twin Cities communities.