Stephen K.R. Andersen

Stephen Andersen, of Cozad, NE passed away peacefully early Tuesday morning, August 20, at Meadowlark Pointe at the age of 90. Steve has been a resident at Meadowlark Pointe in Cozad for the past 7 years and will be dearly missed by his Meadowlark friends and family

Steve was born on December 3, 1934, in Cozad, NE to Danish Immigrant Marius (Swede) Andersen and Dorothy (Huntley) Andersen. He was named after his mother’s father and her two brothers, and he grew up in Cozad where he accepted his fate as the younger brother of his dear sister Mary Kay. His childhood was full of family, adventure and discovery. While he was a tall youth, athleticism was not his gift. A recent story shared with us is of him holding a secure spot on the end of the bench for most of his high school football career – cheering others on. A talent he possessed until his last breath. He was passionate about creating a positive and humorous environment for others and loved using humor, music and song to connect with friends and strangers alike. At the age of 17, Steve joined the Navy and began his worldly adventures including Italy, Turkey, and Denmark. He loved sharing stories of the people he met and how it expanded his mind and understanding of the world and how most people are good and are open to new ideas. His love of photography and learning expanded while in the Navy and was the basis for his ultimate career path through teaching, news reporting and eventually the owner of a wonderful photography business.

Steve met his young bride Doris while she and her friends were bowling in Cozad, and they were united in Marriage, August 3, 1958, on a very hot summer day in Central City. They resided in both Kearney and Lincoln, to complete Steve’s education before settling in Arapahoe where they began their family with son Greg and daughter Jennifer. Shortly after, they moved to Denison, IA where Susan was born, and 4 years later they moved home to Cozad, to raise their family with the support and love of Steve’s parents, MG and Dorothy Andersen.

In 1971, with the encouragement and support of several local businessmen, Steve and Doris joyfully opened Andersen Studio, where together they worked side by side for 36 years. It was at Andersen Studio that Steve thrived both behind the camera and next to his life partner and wife Doris. Steve had an uncanny ability to draw out the best in everyone. He is well known for the “penny on his forehead trick” and other mischievous tricks to draw out a smile or twinkle in an eye. To this day, our family loves the stories we are told about their experiences through school, sports, activities, and wedding pictures that were taken.

Throughout his life, Steve was committed to faith, family and friends. It has been said repeatedly, Steve never met a stranger. Family meant everything to dad. He is survived by his loving son Gregory Jon of Oxford, and daughters Jennifer and Jim Smith of Highlands Ranch, CO, and Susan and Scott Kuhlman, of Sidney, NE. Steve and Doris worked endless hours at the Studio and traveling across the Nation recording the memories of other’s lives. Our early years together didn’t reach far beyond Cozad, a local fishing hole or meals around the family table. However, as time passed and resources allowed, Steve was the beneficiary of traveling the world with his daughters and family. A trip to Hong Kong with Jennifer and trips to Italy with Susan remain highlights of all our travels. Dad was committed most especially to his son Greg, who to this day claims to be an accomplished fisherman. They spent countless hours at favorite fishing spots that most often yielded little or no fish but created for Greg a lifetime of memories with his dad.

Steve will be most dearly missed by his amazing grandchildren, Ellen and husband Kevin Cunningham of Bloomington, MN, Audrey and husband Dutch Vap of North Platte, and Matthew Smith and Stephen Smith (his namesake in both name and many traits) of Highlands Ranch, CO. Steve’s great grandchildren, Henry and Wilhelmina Cunningham and Hattie Vap were constant sources of joy and delight for Steve and our entire family.

Steve is preceded in death by his wife Doris, his father and mother, Swede and Dorothy of Cozad, and older sister Mary Kay and husband Hal Schafer of Broomfield, CO. He leaves behind many special nieces and nephews who have always held a special place in his heart.

One of Steve’s greatest joys was the art of music. Many of you may remember when he sang Amazing Grace at his daughter Susan’s wedding, or you have received a special call on your birthday when he and Doris would share a birthday duet. Later in life he was asked to visit folks in the hospital, and he would take a wooden blue bird he had carved and painted. He would sit by their bedside, share faith stories and sing “The Bluebird of Happiness.” Over the years many people received one of these cherished bluebirds. We were all encouraged to take it on our travels and send him photos of the bluebird on a great adventure. If you were a recipient of one of these special bluebirds, please bring it with you to the service and enjoy the memory of when Steve shared his gift of song with you.

Steve was a lover of life, humor, music, daily adventures, the pursuit of knowledge and his relationship with God and Jesus Christ was one he was fully secure in. He was the greatest non-cooking chef we know, his intense desire to know about his own health and natural healing was amazing, and his intelligence and acceptance of technology and how it could better his daily life is a testament to his continual quest of knowledge. His daughters are committed to pursuing longevity and ways to ensure quality of life, and Steve was all in! All of us were recipients of daily tips and his most recent area of expertise was all things baby. He loved his grandchildren and great grandchildren beyond measure. Steve’s last family moment was holding his youngest great grandchild Hattie high in the air while singing, and racing young Henry down the hall in his scooter while Henry looked back to be sure the old man was not going to beat him. Well, the jokes on us, dad did beat us all. He beat us to the Heavenly finish line with grace, humor, faith and the anticipation of holding his dear wife’s hand once again – while she beats him in another game of King’s on the Corner.

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing."

Timothy 4:7-8

Memorials are suggested to Central Plains Home Health & Hospice. Celebrations and stories may be shared at berrymanfuneralhome.com. Steve’s wishes were to have his body donated to the NE Anatomical Board to continue the pursuit of knowledge on aging and longevity. The service of Celebration will be held Friday, September 12th at 2 p.m. at Cozad Presbyterian Church with Rev. Jill Boyd presiding. Please join the family following the service for a dessert reception and time to connect and share stories.