Steve Techam, a longtime Minnesota wrestling coach who built programs from the ground up and earned induction into two halls of fame, died Sept. 3. He was 80.
Techam founded the wrestling program at Verndale High School in 1969 after being hired to teach junior high social studies. He coached the Pirates until 1980, when the school consolidated with Bertha-Hewitt to form the Raiders program.
The veteran coach continued leading Bertha-Hewitt-Verndale until retiring in 2007, then returned for the 2013-14 season to guide the Raiders to the state tournament. Techam finished his career with a 400-178-8.
His achievements earned recognition from the Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association, which inducted him into the Dave Bartelma Wrestling Hall of Fame in March 2005. The National Wrestling Hall of Fame’s Minnesota Chapter followed suit in April 2021.
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Steve Techam Obituary:
The funeral service celebrating the life of Steve Techam of Deer Creek will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 20, at the Joyful Spirit Methodist Church in rural Wadena with Pastor Ricardo Alcoser presiding.
Visitation will be held on Friday, from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. at the church in Wadena and will resume on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery in Deer Creek, MN.
On September 3, 2025, Stephen “Steve” Techam, beloved husband, father, and friend, passed away peacefully at the age of 80, at home with his wife and family by his side.
Steve was born on July 27, 1945, in Minneapolis, MN, to Herman Techam and Mary Techam. He grew up in Hopkins, where he graduated from Hopkins High School. His love for learning and teaching led him to Bemidji State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education.
During his school years, Steve was a dedicated athlete, competing in both high school and college wrestling. His passion for the sport continued throughout his life, and in 1973, he founded the Verndale High School wrestling program, leaving a legacy that touched generations of students. In recognition of his contributions, he was named Minnesota High School Coach of the Year in 2001 and was inducted into the Minnesota Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2005 and the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2021.
Beyond athletics, Steve found joy in hunting, fishing, and connecting with nature. He was also a dedicated community member, serving on the Lions Club, the church board, and the Wadena-Deer Creek School Board, where his leadership made a lasting impact. Steve played an instrumental role in helping rebuild the Wadena-Deer Creek School following the tornado that ripped through Wadena in 2010, ensuring the students and community had a safe and renewed place to learn.
While attending Bemidji State, Steve met the love of his life, Katherine Fleener. They were married on December 30, 1967, and shared a devoted, enduring partnership that lasted throughout his life.
Steve will be remembered for his kindness, compassion, and unwavering dedication to those he loved. Loyal to his family, community, athletes, and students, he lived each day with integrity and instilled that same value in those around him. To his family, he was a source of calm strength and steady encouragement, always offering support with a warm smile.
He carried that same spirit into every relationship – whether with friends, peers, students, or fellow community members – always meeting others with generosity and respect. Steve cherished time spent traveling with his family, often weaving history into their adventures, and delighted in journeys with friends, especially salmon fishing trips to Alaska. His passions for wrestling, hunting, fishing, and travel were woven into the fabric of his life, but it was the people he shared them with who made those moments most meaningful.
Above all, Steve leaves behind the example of a life well-lived – guided by faith, family, and integrity – that will continue to inspire all who knew him.
Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife, Kathy; daughters, Melissa (Lance) Westerlund and Lori Techam; and his granddaughter, Olivia Westerlund. He is also survived by his siblings, Gene Techam, Robert “Bob” Techam, Dan Techam, and Diane Techam.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Mary Techam, as well as his sister, Kathy Day, and brother, David Techam.
Arrangements with the Schuller Family Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Wadena, MN. (www.SchullerFamilyFH.com)