Steven August Maeder
Steven August Maeder, 51, Merriam, Kansas, died September 18, 2009.
“ Butch” was his nickname, and it described his powerful appearance, his deep voice, and his hobbies. Afterall, Steve was a man’s man. He hunted deer, turkey, and pheasant and also fished. He was great with his hands and built all kinds of things from barbeque smokers to skeet-throwers. He was a man. Take him for all in all, we shall not look upon his like again.
Although “Butch” perfectly described Steve’s appearance and hobbies, it did not even hint as to what kind of man he was on the inside. So we were forced to give him other names, as well.
For the countless number of lives he touched, he was called Friend. For the nieces and nephews he helped in every way he could, he was called Uncle. To the three women he grew up with, and teased, and was teased by, he was called Brother. For Tanner and Jake, two strong and affectionate, young men, he was called Dad. And for Robin, the only woman he would ever truly love, he was called Husband.
Although he is no longer here with us, the love he left behind will last forever.
Steven is survived by his wife, Robin; two sons, Tanner and Jake; sisters Vicky Renne (Dan), Cathy Kline (Jim) and Kelly Coffman (Ken); father-in-law, David Lang, and ten nephews and nieces. Steven was preceeded in death by his parents Doris and Albert Maeder; nephew Jimmy; and mother-in-law Leonore Lang.
Visitation and Funeral Services
Visitation is Tuesday, September 22, 6-8 p.m., at Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee. Funeral service will be 11 a.m., Wednesday, September 23, 2009 at the chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Kansas City Hospice House, 12000 Wornall Rd., Kansas City, Missouri 64145.
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Robin, Tanner & Jake,
My heart, thoughts and prayers are with you.
Peace be yours.
I’m very sorry for your loss.
No way ANYONE could ever forget Steve!
So sorry about Uncle Steve – we will definitely miss him. Holidays won’t be the same not hearing his laughter echo through the living room. I’m glad we had him for the time we did. He will always be lovingly remembered. My heart and prayers go out to you Aunt Robin, Tanner & Jake.
Robin, Tanner and Jake -
We are so sorry to read about the loss of Steve. My son, Neal Miller, is in North Carolina, but sends his love to you all, too.
Hello, I’m Jill Rogers as you all know I’m friends with The Maeder Family.
Robin has reliazed that No Flowers was not posted on the e-mail to the KC Star.
She asked that all donations would be forward to :
Hospice House
12000 Wornal Road
Kansas City,Mo 64145
She would like everyone to know they treated her family like a five star hotel would treat their best customer, she is deeply appreciated for their hospitality.
I have known “Butch” almost his entire life. He was always Vicky’s little brother and a buddy of my brother’s. Not until we were grown, did I finally know Butch as my friend. I loved that guy and even though we didn’t see other much; each meeting was an event! Albert and Doris were waiting for their beloved Steve with their arms opened wide. My deepest sympathy to Robin, Tanner, and Jake and to Vicky, Cathy, and Kelly. I love you. Angie
I cannot put into words the way i fully feel, after hearing of the passing of my friend and soul brother Butch….(since we were 3 or 4 years old). Though we didn’t see alot of each other after i moved from the old Lenexa neighborhood, each time we would, the memories and love were and are as powerful as ever. Even now, as write this with tears, Butch, (Albert, Doris, Vicki, Cathy, and Kelly) are as to me….extended family, since i spent nearly as much time in and around their home on Logan Ln. as my own. My heart beats with the entire Maeder family, in the loss of Butch. Butch and i were very different in many things, (he could build a go-cart out of scraps and spare parts while i was still trying to remember the way he told me to put the chain back on my bike’s sprocket, and so on….); however, in things of the heart….(God, family, deep friendship… things that are eternal), we were exactly the same. I barely know Robin and the boys….but what i do know is the great bond of love, there, at the ol’ house, in Merriam, (where i spent wonderful times as a child visiting Grandma Maeder with Butch and family). Butch…..i know you’re listening, in arms of Jesus,…..you can be very, very proud of Robin and the boys, as they have the same spirit of love as you…. it is very evident, to me. I was so blest to see Butch and family, (Robin’s hospitality never missing a beat)….and to hug him…..once more…..til we share that next meal….in the place where we’ll never say goodbye….where Jesus holds all those gone before us in His loving arms. No, there will never be another the likes of my dear friend Steven August Maeder, (son, brother, husband, dad, friend, builder, mechanic….and my “soul brother). Go “on high” Butch…til we meet again.
an ‘old neighborhood friend’
rick
When told of Butch’s passing, a flood of memories came over me. While the news of his passing was not a shock–I was aware of his cancer–the saddness and the memories were overwhelming. As the “little brother” in the Old Lenexa neighborhood, my childhood years were filled with fond memories. Butch Maeder–I never once called him “Steve”–was a larger-than-life great friend of my brother Rick, and the entire Maeder family was dear to us all. Butch always seemed to look out for me. I looked up to him and admired his daring spirit. Never one to follow, Butch was a true archetype! I fondly recollect spending hours in the Maeder garage watching in awe as Butch and Albert restored an old truck–I want to say it was a 1946 Ford. From the body work–meticulously restored and painted cherry red–to the engine–stripped down and re-built–I stood amazed–occasionally handing Butch the wrong hand tool when he barked an order to me–as father and son worked as one! I have to say, though, that to this day, I still laugh as I remember Butch using the garden hose to spray the engine, and Albert walks out of the house into the garage–cigarrete dangling from the corner of his mouth–and he says to Butch, “Awe, Butch . . . shut the water off–you’re going to drown the poor bastard.” So many more vivid memories . . . Butch, you left your mark on all of us!
Dear Robin,
Rick and I met in Wisconsin so I heard stories about Butch long before I met him. Really, I was almost nervous to meet him! If it’s true, I am told he once drove a car 90 miles an hour in reverse. I remain impressed. Yet what impressed me more was the way he loved Robin. More than once I heard him say, “She is more than I deserve”. Even the way Butch said Robin sounded like he was mentioning a precious jewel. And indeed he was. And when Rick said something to Butch about his wonderful boys, Butch gave Robin all of the credit for how great they are. It is a great man that loves his wife and boys so well. I know your loss is great, but I also know you were blessed to have been loved so well by the Paul Bunyan of the garage!
I will continue to pray for all of you as you walk through the grief of losing one so dear. There is for me no greater comfort than knowing that one day we will all be together again.
Love, Karin
(wife of Rick Krause)
Met Steve when my late husband Dick and he fell in love with building the ultimate smoker. Steve already had and Dick was duly impressed. What I will miss most is Steve occaisionally checking in on me and the kids after Dick died. Whenever he was in the neighborhood doing something for the Gas Co., he stopped to ask how we were doing if we happened to be home. It was touching and just shows how caring he was. He will be missed.
Always, Teri Pope