It is with great sadness we write that our dear Steve Newman passed away at home November 12 at age 75, succumbing to his lifelong battle with COPD. Steve was born in Los Angeles, California, June 23 1946 to parents Elwood Hoekstra, Jr. and Betty Louise Grace. He was the second son of a family of five which included siblings Ricky, Valerie, Alana, and Dale.
Steve was married to the love of his life, Kara Hawkins, June 19 2004 and they were blessed with happiness for nearly 18 years. He leaves behind his beloved dog “Bear”; two sons, Scott Newman (Brandi) grandchildren Bayley and Samantha; Michael Newman (Hillary) and grandchildren Jordan, Brittany, Taryn and Micah; and his sister, Alana Noeth (Mark), and nephews Patrick, John, Daniel and Kevin; and brother Dale, Jr., nieces Kellie and Katie, and nephew, Blake. His brother-in-law, Thomas J Pilarski; sister-in-law Patricia A Morgan (Thomas); daughter-in-law Erin Donelson (Brandon) and grandchildren Colin, Clare and Ethan; and son-in-law Hawkins Boyle (Tory), miss him dearly.
Before he met Kara, he was a volunteer fireman for the Shawnee Fire Department; and most recently, a volunteer at Advent Shawnee Mission Hospital serving as a chaplain, and as an assistant in the emergency department since 2004.
At Nazdar, Inc., where he worked for 29 years in their Customer Service Department before retiring in August 2017, Steve was known to everyone as an amazing co-worker and friend. In fact, Steve made friends with every person he met; after just a few minutes, each found something in common to talk about – his family; his love of exploration of the old West, and his many years traveling the Oregon Trail; especially, Rock Springs, Wyoming; the printing business; his firefighting days, and his collection of race cars, firetrucks and police cars.
We will miss the smile Steve always had on his face, and his cheerful outlook in life. One of his recent posts truly describes how Steve approached life: “The most worthwhile thing is to try to put happiness into the lives of others.”
Due to the January omicron surge in the metro area, that for everyone's safety, the family is rescheduling Steve's farewell party for Spring or early summer. and we'll update this site in the next couple months
Steve was married to the love of his life, Kara Hawkins, June 19 2004 and they were blessed with happiness for nearly 18 years. He leaves behind his beloved dog “Bear”; two sons, Scott Newman (Brandi) grandchildren Bayley and Samantha; Michael Newman (Hillary) and grandchildren Jordan, Brittany, Taryn and Micah; and his sister, Alana Noeth (Mark), and nephews Patrick, John, Daniel and Kevin; and brother Dale, Jr., nieces Kellie and Katie, and nephew, Blake. His brother-in-law, Thomas J Pilarski; sister-in-law Patricia A Morgan (Thomas); daughter-in-law Erin Donelson (Brandon) and grandchildren Colin, Clare and Ethan; and son-in-law Hawkins Boyle (Tory), miss him dearly.
Before he met Kara, he was a volunteer fireman for the Shawnee Fire Department; and most recently, a volunteer at Advent Shawnee Mission Hospital serving as a chaplain, and as an assistant in the emergency department since 2004.
At Nazdar, Inc., where he worked for 29 years in their Customer Service Department before retiring in August 2017, Steve was known to everyone as an amazing co-worker and friend. In fact, Steve made friends with every person he met; after just a few minutes, each found something in common to talk about – his family; his love of exploration of the old West, and his many years traveling the Oregon Trail; especially, Rock Springs, Wyoming; the printing business; his firefighting days, and his collection of race cars, firetrucks and police cars.
We will miss the smile Steve always had on his face, and his cheerful outlook in life. One of his recent posts truly describes how Steve approached life: “The most worthwhile thing is to try to put happiness into the lives of others.”
Due to the January omicron surge in the metro area, that for everyone's safety, the family is rescheduling Steve's farewell party for Spring or early summer. and we'll update this site in the next couple months
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