Steven Wanders, 64, of Montezuma, passed away Wednesday evening, May 22, 2024, at Mahaska Health Partnership in Oskaloosa. Funeral services will begin at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, May 30, at Community Hope Church in Montezuma. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Lisa Wanders to determine a memorial in Steve’s name at a later time.
Steven Ray Wanders, the son of Dwight and Dorothea (Newendorp) Wanders, was born July 20, 1959, in Oskaloosa. He graduated from North Mahaska High School in 1977. Mar. 2, 1979, Steve was united in marriage to Lisa Heishman at Assembly of God Church in New Sharon. To this union, two boys were born, Nathan and Brandon. Steve grew up on the farm and loved to farm. He was a hard worker and worked for the Barnes City Co-op and then was a farmhand for several years. He also built houses, worked for Kenny McCulley, and most recently he worked for ProLine Builders as a steel frame foreman retiring after 19 years. He enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, hunting, camping, watching farm shows on YouTube, his dogs, and above all, he loved his family and cherished the memories he made with them. He also helped at the Barnes City Figure 8 races for several years along with What Cheer, Sigourney, and Brooklyn. Steve also most recently got into canning and gardening along with watching cooking videos on Facebook or YouTube to get recipes that he would tweak to make them a little better. He was a member of Barnes City Fire Department for over 20 years where he enjoyed helping with the fireman breakfast and was best known for his pancake mix. He also was a member of Ruritan Club.
His memory will be honored by his wife of 45 years Lisa Wanders; his sons Nathan Wanders and Brandon (Jesi) Wanders; his four grandchildren: Harleigh Wanders, Kalynn Wanders, Haylee Walters, and Wyllie Walters; his siblings Julia (Randy) Pitman, Gary (Lana) Wanders, Laurel Wanders, Mary Jo (Randy) DeBruin, and Marcia (Tim) Rodibaugh, along with many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Steven was preceded in death by his parents Dwight and Dorothea Wanders and a brother-in-law Tom Sheets.
