Steven Michael Highland was the first born to Olaf and Wilma (Rasmussen) Highland, Friday, March 16, 1945. They called Randall, Iowa home where they later welcomed Kari Ann, Thor, Charlie, and Peggy. He was baptized and confirmed at Bergen Lutheran Church in Roland, Iowa. He attended McCallsburg Elementary and NESCO High School, graduating with his best friend Darryl Crain in 1963.

Through a NESCO FFA Fundraiser, he worked with Dick Sparrow of the famed 40 Horse Hitch. He and his sister Kari Ann tripped the light fantastic as award-winning square dancers at the Rose Capital of Iowa, in State Center.

He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1964 serving 4 years. He was honorably discharged as Corporal Highland having served as Cryptographic Technician. He received a good conduct medal, national defense service medal, rifle sharpshooter badge and pistol marksman badge. He joined other veterans on a Freedom Flight in October of 2015.

He met and then married Kathy and Kevin Olson, on May 14, 1971. He adopted Kevin in 1972. On July 7, 1973, Chad Michael arrived and added to their family.

Steve's employment history started with working for a well drilling company and a sanitation worker in Ames prior to starting at the Iowa Highway Commission in 1970, retiring from the Iowa DOT in 2008. He served Nevada working at Kum n' Go, and then Johnson's Hardware, Ace Hardware, True Value, Hardware Hank, and Nevada Ace Hardware, all in the same building. He thoroughly enjoyed volunteering for his community of Nevada through the Nevada First Responders and Story County Sheriff's Reserve.

The last few years, Steve was the hero of 3rd Street Place as the resident snow blower and lawn mower. He is known for his ability to eat his weight in Kumla, and eat more than anyone at family meals, but never gain an ounce.

Those surviving Steve are his wife Kathy, sons Kevin (Paul), and Chad. Granddaughters Madilyn and Eden. Sisters Kari Ann (Lynn) Tevepaugh and Peggy Highland. Sister-in-Laws Julie Highland and Beth Highland, goddaughter Aimee Kluesner, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is preceded in death by his father Olaf, mother Wilma, brothers Charley and Thor, and nephews Mathew and Joey. Grandmothers Cecil Rasumssen, grandparents Louie and Ida Johnson, great grandma Carrie Erickson, aunt and uncle Joann and Cleo Rasmussen, aunts Thordis Christian, Audrey Larson, Connie Mead and uncle George Highland.

We are all better people for having Steve in our lives.

A memorial service honoring Steve will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 1, 2024, at Rasmusson-Ryan Funeral Home (1418 Fawcett Pkwy) in Nevada. Family will greet friends one hour prior to the service.

Rasmusson-Ryan Funeral Home in Nevada is handling arrangements. Condolences may be shared with the family online at www.rasmussonfh.com.