Gunnar Matthew Steen

Gunnar Matthew Steen, 6 month old son of Jon and Natalia Steen, died of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome on Friday, October 28, 2016 at Sanford Children’s Hospital, Fargo, North Dakota. Gunnar was found at daycare unresponsive Thursday afternoon, despite excellent care from daycare staff and emergency response teams they were unable to revive him for over an hour.  Gunnar was transferred to Sanfords Pediatric Intensive Care Unit in Fargo and died the next morning in the loving arms of his parents. Gunnar Matthew Steen, the son of Jon and Natalia (Goetz) Steen, was born on May 3, 2016 at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks. Gunnar was the happiest baby. He loved to giggle and smile. You could just look at him and he would giggle. Gunnar loved bath time where he would splash and try to drink the bath water. Gunnar enjoyed having books read to him and he especially loved Llama Llama books. He had just started eating foods; loved squash, sweet potatoes, and avocados. Gunnar had mastered rolling over and was just learning to move around. Gunnar looked exactly like his father and was known for his wild hair that would stand straight up. Gunnar brought joy to so many friends and family. Although we had so many more dreams and hopes for our sweet boy who is now in heaven with Jesus. Our time with Gunnar on earth was way too short and we all need to remember to hold our babies tight. Gunnar is survived by his parents, Jon and Natalia, Grand Forks;  grandparents, Tim (Jackie) Goetz, Grand Forks;  Jodie Goetz (fiancée Scott Krisak), Bemidji, MN, Rev. Nathan (Kathy) Steen, Rugby, ND; great-grandparents, Paul (Nancy) Toutges, Grand Forks, Darlene Goetz, Grand Forks;  numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.  Gunnar was preceded in death by great-grandparents, Dennis Goetz, Donna Toutges, Norman and Iona Steen, and Gordon and Doris Erickson. Funeral Services will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, November 4, 2016 at Hope Evangelical Covenant Church, 1601 17th Ave South, Grand Forks with visitation one hour prior to the service in the church.  Interment will be at Calvary South Cemetery, Grand Forks.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the family, who in turn will donate it, in Gunnar's name, to Hopeful Beginings (Gunnar's daycare) and SIDS Research so this doesn't have to happen to another family.