Steven Vanderbeek
June 24, 1945 — July 12, 2017
Steven Eric Vanderbeek, 72, of Wahoo formerly of Curtis, NE, died July 12, 2017 at Saunders Medical Center Long Term Care in Wahoo, NE following a courageous battle with Alzheimer's.
Steve was born June 24, 1945 in Pleasanton, CA, son of Sylvester and Ruth (Mowery) Vanderbeek.
He grew up at Mullen, NE graduating from Mullen High School. Following graduation Steve attended Kearney State College graduating with a Bachelor's Degree in 1967 and a Masters in 1971. Steve married Janette Kruse on June 30, 1968 at Hildreth, NE; the couple had three children - Stephanie, Kristen and Jeff. He taught Math in Bellevue and Aurora before becoming Principal at Medicine Valley for 30 years. The family made their home in Curtis in 1973 where they lived until moving to Kearney in 2004. They moved to Wahoo in 2015 to be closer to family and friends. He was a member of Nebraska Council of School Administrators and Nebraska State Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association and the Curtis United Methodist Church. He received the Principal of the Year Award-Nebraska Rural Community Schools Association, District V Athletic Director of the Year, Honorary Membership-Future Farmers of America, and Honorary Membership-Family Career Community Leaders of America.
Family was very important to Steve whether it was his summers at Harry Strunk lake with his family and friends, fishing trips with Harry and family, school activities with his students or quality time with his grandchildren. Steve was a great husband, father and grandpa and greatly impacted all of the lives he came in contact with. He was a mentor to many but a friend to all.
He is survived by his wife, Janette Vanderbeek of Wahoo, NE; two daughters, Stephanie (Shane) Taylor of Wahoo, NE and Kristen (Kelly) Kotschwar of Moorefield, NE; son, Jeff (Melissa) Vanderbeek of Belgium, WI; grandchildren, Jackson and Noah Taylor, Kahner, Brookelyn, Dylan, and Sydney Kotschwar, Kaydin, Daxton, Kinley, and Deklan Vanderbeek; brother John (Patti) Vanderbeek and sister Carol (Rick) Estudillo; three brothers-in-law, Ron (Sandra) Kruse, Gary (Ardie) Kruse, Tom (Deb) Kruse; two sisters-in-law, Sheryl Kruse and Judy Kruse; along with many extended family and friends.
Steve was preceded in death by his parents Sylvester and Ruth Vanderbeek, father and mother-in-law, John & Rose Kruse, brothers-in-law, Don Kruse and Bruce Kruse.
Visitation will be held at the First United Methodist Church, Curtis, NE; Sunday, July 16, 2017, 3:00 pm - 6:00 PM with the family present from 3:00-5:00 PM.
Services will be held at Curtis Memorial Community Center, 301 Garlick Ave, Curtis, NE 69025, Monday, July 17, 2017 at 3:00 PM with Chip Brown officiating.
Burial will follow in the Moorefield Cemetery, Moorefield, NE.
Memorials may be given to the Vanderbeek Family to be designated at a later date.