Steven Kornkven, 35 of Upham formerly of Bottineau died Friday, May 8, 2020 near Bottineau.  His funeral will be held on Friday, May 15, 2020 at the Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Bottineau.  Visitation will be Thursday from 1:00 pm until 7:00 pm at the Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau.

He was born September 1 ^st , 1984 at Trinity Hospital in Minot, North Dakota to Ross Kornkven and Tamara (Welstad) Schnabel. He was a 2004 graduate of Bottineau High School. He was married to Rachelle Biel on July 1 ^st , 2005. Together they had a daughter KayCee in 2006. That union later ended. Recently, he found his best friend and companion Alyssa Acheson along with her son Lane.

Steven was an avid hunter. Deer hunting was always a joy. It was the time of year he looked forward to. He was the only one known to be able to routinely shoot a deer at 400 yards or more. If that deer was closer than that, he couldn't hit it. Bowhunting was a time for him to enjoy the outdoors and be at peace. He would go out to the deer stand and stay well past dark waiting for that buck to come in. Archery tournaments became a pastime which he and KayCee would do together.

Many early mornings were spent lying in a layout blind waiting for the flock of geese to come in. He would often catch a little nap in the blind waiting for the sun to come up. When the geese would come in, Steven would still be napping. The brothers would dismantle his gun and then they would start shooting geese. Steven would wake up as he heard the shots. Dazed and confused he would ask, "what are you shooting at". Steven would grab his gun and realize it had been dismantled. Brother Justin would say "Your too late, you shouldn't have been sleeping." He enjoyed goose hunting with his brothers, close friends, and KayCee. Steven liked to pass his knowledge of hunting and the outdoors on to others. He was a lifetime member to Ducks Unlimited and volunteered with the Banquets.

Many would say he was "the lucky one". He could go to the casino and come out with more money then he took in with him. When he participated in a gun raffle, Steven almost always won at least one, more often it was multiple guns.

While in high school, Steven worked for DMS Incorporated. Music was a part of Steven's life, thus he worked with Rock'in in the Hills music fest. After high school, Steven went out on the road doing directional and horizontal drilling with Michels Cooperation. He was able to work with his uncle Karl, and along side his sister Stacy, brother Jeremy, best friend Justin Bullinger, and cousin Paul Krings. They were able to travel to many states and Canada during his time with Michels. He ended his time with Michels in 2009. From 2009 to 2017 Steven worked for various trucking companies in the oil fields. He then took a break from trucking and went to work for an area farmer. Farming was something he adjusted to well. As a kid, he had play farm sets, and he could now put that "play" to use. Steven continued to be drawn to trucking, thus he again went to the oil field. After some time with trucking, farming again drew him in. Up until his passing, he was employed with Evan Wilhelm.

Steven had a zest for life. He was never short to task. He would give you the shirt off his back if needed. He always had an ear to listen. He would also talk your ear off. He was the life of the party, would lend a hand to anybody. Everybody knew who he was. He was a mentor and coach to many. He was always eager to take the time to "show you the ropes". As his friend Brian Torno said, He was the one to stop to lend a hand, give a tow, or bind a load. He loved unconditional, guided and gave comfort. He was always fun yet firm, and adored by his daughter. He always said, "we can do this". As a friend he was always up for a good time. He was one to check on the neighbors. He was the trucker, the father, the son, the brother, the friend, the neighbor, the one that touched you, the legendary "STEVEN KORNKVEN".

Steven is survived by his daughter KayCee, companion Alyssa Acheson and her son Lane; his parents Ross Kornkven of Bottineau, Gary & Tamara (Welstad) Schnabel of Upham; sisters Ann (Dwayne) Hamilton of Savannah IL, Jessica (John) Schimetz of Bottineau, Stacy (Lance) Footitt of Bottineau; brothers Jeremy Kornkven of Upham, Justin Kornkven of Upham, and Cody (Tasha) Schnabel of Mandan. nieces Jennah Magill, Madison Magill, Sydney Hamilton, and Hailee Schnabel; nephews Shaun Magill Colten Schnabel; Grandmother Margaret Kornkven of Bottineau; Numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Proceeded into death by his sister Serrina Schnabel, grandparents Glenn Kornkven, Harold and Doris Welstad, Marvin and Arlene Schnabel; aunts Kay Footitt, Sandra Campos, and Lori Welstad; uncle Gene Welstad; cousin Sarah Campos.