Steven L. Tagatz

Steven Lee Tagatz, 62, of Blue Earth died unexpectedly, April 8, 2016 at his home.Memorial service will be 2:00 PM Saturday, April 23, 2016 at St. Paul Lutheran Church of Blue Earth, with visitation beginning at 12:30PM at the church. Inurnment will be in the Riverside Cemetery of Blue Earth.Steve was born on August 8, 1953, one of two children to Winston and Betty (Bell) Tagatz of Blue Earth, Minnesota. He was baptized at St. Paul Lutheran, and graduated Blue Earth High School in 1971. After high school he attended Rochester Community College and graduated with a two year degree in accounting, which led him to work as an accountant for a mining company in Northern Minnesota.In 1982, he moved to Oregon and worked for a fishing tackle company, and later moved to Toutle WA. On May 18, 1980 Steve was displaced by the eruption of Mount St. Helen and always said he was one of the last off the mountain. For a time he worked as part of a gold mining crew in Northern California, and then decided to move back to Minnesota. While in route he stopped in the small mining town of Elko Nevada and found a job as a mechanic for Newmont Mining Co. He worked at Newmont for 20-years, retired in 2008 and returned home to Blue Earth to care for his elderly father.Steven enjoyed hunting, fishing and always seemed to live in remote areas where he could enjoy his passion. He would always go longer and further in order to chase the biggest and best. He enjoyed many friends who shared his love for the outdoors.He was preceded in death by his mother and father.Steve is survived by his brother, Mark (Debra) Tagatz; Elizabeth Tagatz; Michael Tagatz; aunts, uncles and cousins.