Stephen "Steve" R. Kane, 67, of Junction City, passed away on March 21, 2023, after a long journey with Lewy Body Dementia.
Visitation will be
held Thursday, March 30, 2023, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at Johnson
Funeral Chapel. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Friday,
March 31, 2023, at Johnson Funeral Chapel, with Pastor Doug Hamilton
officiating. Cremation has taken place and inurnment will follow service
at St. Mary's Cemetery. As Steve was an avid K-State Wildcat fan,
family would like to encourage those in attendance for any of the
services to wear their casual K-State and purple attire. Memorial
contributions can be made to St. Francis Xavier Catholic School.
Steve
was born on October 26, 1955, the son of Harold and Mabel (Hood) Kane.
He was a 1973 graduate of Junction City High School and a lifelong
resident of Junction City. While cruising Sixth Street in 1975, he met
the love of his life, Rosie Lauri. On August 4, 1978, Steve and Rosie
married and from that union, came their two daughters, Amy and Stefanie.
As a Kansas State University Alumnus, Steve was the epitome of
a true Wildcat fan and he never turned down the opportunity to cheer on
the 'Cats; he also loved the Chiefs and Royals. Though known as a
soft-spoken man, Steve proudly and loudly cheered during games be it in
person or on TV.
Steve devoted much of his free time to
coaching his girls’ sports teams and volunteering at St. Xavier Catholic
School sporting events such as the football chain gang and score
keeping. From 1983 until his retirement, Steve worked in Internal
Review and Audit Compliance on Ft. Riley. At the time of his retirement,
he was serving as the Internal Review and Audit Compliance Director.
Steve
was a devoted and loyal husband and father. He loved his girls so much
that he even danced in recitals and competed in pageants as the Tin Man.
He was skilled at and enjoyed woodworking, creating many pieces for
friends and family.
Steve was looking forward to his retirement
years and loved being Pop Pop to his four grandchildren. He enjoyed
watching his grandkids’ games and recitals. His grandchildren were the
light of life for the last fourteen years. His retirement years and time
as Pop Pop was cut short due to his Lewy Body Dementia.
As a
man of few words, Steve had a quiet but strong presence; he had a way of
making you feel supported without feeling judged. He used his words
wisely and only when needed, whether for advice or to crack a joke.
Family always came first and that was evident in the way he cared for
both immediate and extended family. He always showed up to lend a
helping hand or to just be present. Kids loved him for the way he
acknowledged and interacted with them, and he could always be counted on
to do his Donald Duck impression.
Steve is survived by his
wife, Rosemary; his two Daughters, Amy (Matt) Bailey of Topeka, Kansas,
and Stefanie (Andrew) Darrow of Junction City, Kansas; brother, Gene
(Miki) Kane of Gilbert, Arizona; three sisters, Pat Hartung of Wamego,
Kansas, Sharon Booker of Park City, Kansas, and Kristin (Marshall) Rhyne
of Junction City, Kansas; two granddaughters, Emma Bailey and Kinsley
Darrow; two grandsons, Blake Bailey and Bentley Darrow; many nieces,
nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Melvin Kane.