Steve Wesley Volla
Steve Wesley Volla, 59, passed away on Wednesday, January 18, 2023 at his farm home in rural Mayville.
He was born in Mayville, N.D., on November 12, 1963, to Bev and Wayne Volla, and was raised on his family farm near Clifford, N.D., with his three siblings: Sterling, Donalee, and Laurie. He graduated from Mayville-Portland High School in 1982 and then graduated from North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) in Wahpeton, N.D., earning a degree in automotive body work in 1984.
On September 7, 1985, he married Tammy Groven, a union, a love, destined from the start. They were both born on the same exact day and at the same exact hospital. They are true best friends who formed a family. They have three adult children, who they love and are very proud of: Brian, Dallas, and Jessica. As a family, they enjoyed going on many trips and spending many holidays together, especially Christmas and their annual Halloween party.
Steve also had immense pride in Tower View Farms, a family farm established in 1949. Within this farming operation, he partnered with his father, the late Wayne Volla, and his uncle, the late Merlin Volla, until their deaths. Aided by his dedicated employees, Steve worked hard to continue a successful farming operation. Beyond the success on the farm, he created something even more everlasting, another family: his Tower View Farm family. Tower View Farm Christmas parties were memorable outings. His farming legacy and proud family farming operation will carry on through his son Dallas and farm family.
He was very passionate about cars, something that for him became more than a hobby. He attended countless car shows and collected many cars. His passion for car collecting grew to a point of requiring an extra shop space. Today, this extra shop is filled with numerous vintage and unique vehicles from numerous decades, creating a rainbow of awe. He was a big NASCAR and racing fan, attending many races in his life.
Steve loved sharing this passion for cars with others. He hosted numerous car collector groups at his special shop, belonged to the Mayville Car Club, participated in car shows, including the local Mayville “Cruise to the Island” car show, and became a pillar of the car collecting community. He enjoyed taking family and friends on cruises in his many vehicles, and was always there to lend a helping hand with family and friends’ vehicle needs. Last year, he and Tammy took a special road trip together, cruising along part of the famed Route 66 in their yellow Viper truck.
He also enjoyed collecting many other things, such as signs, toy vehicles, John Deere memorabilia, dolls, and other unique items. A late-night trip to Walmart for Hot Wheels cars was not a unique occurrence. All of these collectibles are also housed in this special shop, a space that has also hosted many memorable and special family outings. His passion for collecting and his special shop gained area recognition. A story about it was featured in the September 27, 2015 issue of The Forum, titled “A collector’s dream.”
A big joker, Steve enjoyed a good laugh—a laughter that will be remembered forever. A night owl, he also enjoyed spending late nights talking with family and friends in his home and shop, among other places. He was a great listener and a rock for many. He enjoyed traveling, and spending time with family and friends. He and his wife Tammy opened their homes and hearts to many without a second thought. The following quote describes the legacy he left.
“Our lives are not measured in years, but are measured in the lives of people we touch around us,”—the character, Peeta Mallark, in The Hunger Games.
With that quote in mind, Steve lived a lifetime.
Steve is survived by his wife of 37 years, Tammy, his children Brian, Dallas (Karlee), and Jessica, his siblings Sterling (Barb) Volla of Moorhead, Minn., Donalee (Kirby) Josephson of Redwood Falls, Minn., and Laurie (Jeff) Riley of Orondo, Wash., nieces and nephews: Ruby (Jeff) Chandler, Austin (Bee) Volla, Jenna (Steve) Clappier, Tyler (Lilian) Josephson, Whitney (Dane) Moss, and Serena Riley, mother-in-law Carol Groven, brother-in-law Kenny Groven, and many great nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents Bev and Wayne, uncle Merlin, and father-in-law Elroy Groven.
Visitation took place at noon and the service at 1 pm on Tuesday, January 24 at Aurdahl Lutheran Church in Portland, N.D.
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