Donald Elwood Steck
Donald Elwood Steck
d. May 31, 2024
Shawnee
Donald "Don" Elwood Steck, 86, of Shawnee, Kansas, left this world on his next adventure on May 31, 2024, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born on November 22, 1937, in Linneus, Missouri to the late Otto and Hazel Steck. Donald is survived by his treasured wife, Sally Steck, his daughters Theresa (Steck) Schultz and Sheryl (Steck) Stucky, his sons-in-law Chris Schultz and Barry Stucky, his grandchildren Audrey Stucky, Brian Stucky, Cameron Schultz, Nickolas Schultz, his great-granddaughters Ailis Lobdell and Nora Lobdell, and a large and beautiful extended family. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Norma (Steck) Porterfield and brother-in-law Burt Porterfield.
Don served in the United States Army Reserve and was a dedicated Civil Engineer for Johnson County, Black & Veatch, and PEC in Lawrence. His engineering degree took him from Kansas to Cairo, Egypt and Izmir, Turkey. He was an adventurous man known for his curiosity, kindness, sense of humor, and always fulfilling his responsibilities. Service was important to him, and he was happy to use his fix-it skills to do projects to help his family, friends and community. Family was at the center of his life, and he was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, son, brother, uncle, neighbor and friend. He was most thankful for his wife, Sally, who stayed by his side for almost 63 years. Don was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church since 1961.
Don enjoyed traveling, tinkering, bird watching, boating, cars, motorcycles, hiking, camping, and all things exploration. In his later years, he enjoyed sitting on his deck with Sally, and anyone who cared to join was welcome. He enjoyed playing bartender for everyone, and for the precious Powers neighbor children, he filled them with all manner of candy! He had a lifelong group of friends he met for "old guys breakfast" every Thursday, and that morning was unmovable.
Always curious, Don has adventured across Europe, Africa and the United States by foot, train, plane, car, motorcycle and boat. Having a particular love for boats, Don sailed his houseboat from Kansas City, Kansas to Galveston, Texas alongside friends and family. He restored a 1953 Caballero Speedliner which won the Keels & Wheels boat show in Kemah, Texas no less than 8 times.
Don will be deeply missed but left us a legacy that will live on for generations and will keep him close to all who knew him as they continue on their own next adventures.
Contributions in his memory can be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church, noted specifically for the Foster Care Ministry. https://church.stjoeshawnee.org/give
The funeral arrangements are being handled by Kansas City Funeral Directors in Kansas City, Kansas. The funeral mass will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Shawnee, Kansas on Friday, June 7th, at 10:30 am. Rosary will begin at 9:30 am, with visitation following until the mass begins. Burial will be at Resurrection Cemetery in Lenexa following the mass. A gathering on their deck at home with a light lunch will be served following. All are welcome.
He was born on November 22, 1937, in Linneus, Missouri to the late Otto and Hazel Steck. Donald is survived by his treasured wife, Sally Steck, his daughters Theresa (Steck) Schultz and Sheryl (Steck) Stucky, his sons-in-law Chris Schultz and Barry Stucky, his grandchildren Audrey Stucky, Brian Stucky, Cameron Schultz, Nickolas Schultz, his great-granddaughters Ailis Lobdell and Nora Lobdell, and a large and beautiful extended family. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Norma (Steck) Porterfield and brother-in-law Burt Porterfield.
Don served in the United States Army Reserve and was a dedicated Civil Engineer for Johnson County, Black & Veatch, and PEC in Lawrence. His engineering degree took him from Kansas to Cairo, Egypt and Izmir, Turkey. He was an adventurous man known for his curiosity, kindness, sense of humor, and always fulfilling his responsibilities. Service was important to him, and he was happy to use his fix-it skills to do projects to help his family, friends and community. Family was at the center of his life, and he was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, son, brother, uncle, neighbor and friend. He was most thankful for his wife, Sally, who stayed by his side for almost 63 years. Don was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church since 1961.
Don enjoyed traveling, tinkering, bird watching, boating, cars, motorcycles, hiking, camping, and all things exploration. In his later years, he enjoyed sitting on his deck with Sally, and anyone who cared to join was welcome. He enjoyed playing bartender for everyone, and for the precious Powers neighbor children, he filled them with all manner of candy! He had a lifelong group of friends he met for "old guys breakfast" every Thursday, and that morning was unmovable.
Always curious, Don has adventured across Europe, Africa and the United States by foot, train, plane, car, motorcycle and boat. Having a particular love for boats, Don sailed his houseboat from Kansas City, Kansas to Galveston, Texas alongside friends and family. He restored a 1953 Caballero Speedliner which won the Keels & Wheels boat show in Kemah, Texas no less than 8 times.
Don will be deeply missed but left us a legacy that will live on for generations and will keep him close to all who knew him as they continue on their own next adventures.
Contributions in his memory can be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church, noted specifically for the Foster Care Ministry. https://church.stjoeshawnee.org/give
The funeral arrangements are being handled by Kansas City Funeral Directors in Kansas City, Kansas. The funeral mass will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Shawnee, Kansas on Friday, June 7th, at 10:30 am. Rosary will begin at 9:30 am, with visitation following until the mass begins. Burial will be at Resurrection Cemetery in Lenexa following the mass. A gathering on their deck at home with a light lunch will be served following. All are welcome.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Donald Elwood Steck, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Friday, June 7, 2024
9:30 - 10:30 am (Central time)
St Joseph Catholic Church
The Rosary will be at 9:30 am with the visitation to follow until Mass.
Mass
Friday, June 7, 2024
10:30 - 11:30 am (Central time)
St Joseph Catholic Church
Graveside Service
Friday, June 7, 2024
11:45am - 12:00 pm (Central time)
Resurrection Catholic Cemetery
Guestbook
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