Stephen Leigh Mulholland, Registered Professional Archaeologist, born February 10, 1956 in Winona, died March 9, 2017 in Duluth. He attended St. Mary’s University, studying Computer Science, in Winona; University of North Dakota – Grand Forks, 1981, earning a B.A. in Anthropology; University of Minnesota, 2002, earning a M.A. Interdisciplinary Archaeological Studies.
Stephen married Susan Mary Collins in 1981. Steve worked as an archaeological technician at the Superior National Forest 1982-1995, when he joined the Archaeometry Laboratory at University of Minnesota, Duluth. In 2000, Steve formed the Duluth Archaeology Center, LLC with Susan Mulholland and Jennifer (Shafer) Hamilton. For the past 17 years, under his guidance, the company provided expert cultural resource management services across Minnesota, focusing on archaeological investigations. Steve authored numerous archaeological reports and articles, as well as The Archaeology of the Fish Lake Dam Site. He was active in public outreach, sharing his knowledge of the cultural history of Minnesota with students, avocationals, and professionals. His specific expertise included lithic analysis and toolstone identification, particularly of northeastern Minnesota. A lifelong project was documentation of the archaeology of the Cloquet River valley. Professional associations included the Council for Minnesota Archaeology (president for four years) and the Northern Lakes Archaeological Society (founding member, president) among others. Other interests included American history, genealogy, cooking, and gardening. His stories of (sometimes imaginary) childhood escapades lightened our life. Steve is survived by wife Susan (Collins) Mulholland of Duluth, parents Russell Lloyd and Kathleen Barbara (Stanek) Mulholland of Spring Valley, brother Scott Mulholland (wife Stephanie) of Spring Valley, sister Tracy Bly (husband Timothy Bly) of LeRoy, and four nieces and nephews: Sarah (husband Josh) Perry of Pine Island, Michael Mulholland of Spring Valley, Nicholas Bly of LeRoy, and Lindsay (husband Cassidy) Milks of LeRoy.
Visitation will be held from 6-7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 31, 2017 at Hindt Funeral Home in Spring Valley.