Steven Richard Cansler

Steven Richard Cansler, 65, lifelong resident of Shawnee, passed away Sunday, December 24 at home surrounded by his loving family.  Steven was born May 30, 1952 to the late Finis Richard and Betty Ruth Cansler in Shawnee, Kansas. Steve graduated from Shawnee Mission Northwest in 1970.  On May 16, 1981 he married his best friend, Kimberly Jo Cress.  Steve was a hairstylist and owned Natures Way with Kim, before retiring in 2003.  During that time, Steve and Kim always thought the salon's name would be better on a sailboat.  After retiring, Steve and Kim made their dream of owning a sailboat come true and became registered maritime Captains with the U.S. Coast Guard and started a rewarding career as charter boat captains.  Naturally they named their sailboat "Natures Way" and was based in Marsh Harbor in the Bahama's.  The last several years, they were contracted by the Boy Scouts of America to run Bahama's High Adventure Sea Base.  Steve was a devoted father and served with great pride as a coach for his son's basketball and baseball teams.  Steve was proud of his close knit family and their deep Shawnee roots.  Steve is survived by his loving wife of 36 years Kim; his three children, Robin Renee Pratt and husband Mark; Jason Richard Cansler and wife Cara; Josh Ryan Cansler and wife McKenna; six grandchildren, Lydia and Lauren Pratt; Jack and Cate Cansler; Cole and Norah Cansler; sister, Janeth Madden and husband Dennis; mother and father in-law, Earl and Jo Cress; brother in-law, Michael D. Cress and many dear nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Our family will be forever grateful to the entire staff  at KU Cancer Center.  The kindness, compassion and talent of the Doctors, Nurses, and staff made an incredible difference from a personal and medical perspective.

Steve was a great leader and an exceptional friend to Sea Base, Boy Scouts of America. Thousands of young men and women set sail in the Bahamas under Steve's direction. Ever passionate about youth development, Steve's legacy lives on in the lives of the young men and women he served.

As we celebrate the life of Steve Cansler, we have chosen to honor his memory with Sea Base scholarship donations. 100% of all funds collected through this effort will support youth participants. Checks, made payable to the Boy Scouts of America, in Steve's honor can be mailed to P.O. Box 1906, Islamorada, Florida 33036.

Thank you for your gift in honor of Steve Cansler.

Please join us for a Celebration of Life for Steven R. Cansler, starting at 6:00 PM on Saturday January 6, 2018, at the Vox Theatre (1405 Southwest Boulevard, Kansas City, KS 66103). We will honor Steve with our hugs, laughs, music, pictures and favorite memories, in a casual setting, with his friends and family. We will have a few prepared remarks and a video that will start around 7:00 PM.