"My prayers as you mourn your loss of Steve. May you find comfort in your family and friends. My sympathy to El Jean, Brian & Kristine. Teresa Van Zee (Wares)"
In loving memory of
Steven "Steve" Wildeboer
March 23, 1948 - September 24, 2021
Steven "Steve" Wildeboer, 73, of Zearing, passed away unexpectedly in his home on Friday, September 24, 2021. Visitation will be on Tuesday, September 28, 2021 at the Dakins Community Center in Zearing from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. His funeral will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 29, 2021 at Dakins Community Center with Pastor Tom Poppe officiating. Burial will follow in the Lincoln Township Cemetery in Zearing. Wearing a mask and social distancing is encouraged.
Steve was born on March 23, 1948 to Herman and Maxine (Chance) Wildeboer in Des Moines, Iowa. He grew up in Zearing and graduated from NESCO High School with the class of 1966. After high school he attended the United Electronics Institute where he earned his 2-year degree. Steve married the love of his life, El Jean Twedt on November 22, 1969 at Bethany Lutheran Church in McCallsburg, Iowa. The couple lived on the Wildeboer farm at the south end of Zearing until the moved to their current home in March of 1970. Steve was a farmer and loved working the land. Steve was very active in Zearing and the NESCO and Colo-NESCO Community Schools. He coached is kids in basketball and never missed a game in their school and college careers. Steve played a very active roll in building the Veteran's Memorial Ballfields in Zearing. He was on the Zearing Park and Rec Board, the Minerva Valley Telephone Board, the NESCO Health Board, and was a daily smile and storyteller at the Zearing Coffee Club. Steve enjoyed spending time with his family, farming, playing cards, fishing, watching the Hawkeyes, watching sports, and spending time with his grandchildren, great-grandchildren and of course his faithful dogs.
Those left to cherish his loving memory are his wife El Jean Wildeboer of Zearing, IA; children Brian (Janet) Wildeboer of Ames, IA, and Kristine (Cory) Purvis of Zearing, IA; grandchildren Jonathan (Justine) Wildeboer, Sam Wildeboer, Rylee Purvis, and Hunter Purvis; great-grandchildren Lucy, Beckett, and Clark Wildeboer; close cousins Debbie (Don) Kockler of Nevada, IA and Leanne (Ron) Farrington of Nevada, IA.
Steve was preceded in death by his parents, and grandparents Virgil and Goldie Chance.
Fredregill Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of Steve and his family.
Tributes
"So very sorry for your loss. My memories of Steve and Eljean are from high school. We had some fun times together. That last time I saw Steve was at his Uncle August visition in 1990. We picked up our conversation right where we left off as if no time had past. His presence will be missed. My heart goes out to you. Jennie Butler Erpelding"
"Sending prayers for comfort and peace. Deepest sympathy, Dear Friend. Phyllis Buckley"
"The joy and happiness Steve brought into lives will not be forgotten. He will be missed by many. Thinking of you El Jean and your family, wishing you peace and comfort. Craig & Ida Torgeson"
"El Jean, Kris and family, I was so shocked and sad to hear of Steve's passing. What a wonderful man he was and such a fun guy to be around. I will forever cherish the memories I have of the girls up on the farm and how Steve and the rest of the family adopted Kenzie like one of your own. I will miss his crazy jokes and his wonderful smile and laughter. Please know that Walter, Kenzie and I will keep all of you in our prayers and thoughts. Our deepest sympathies and love. Chari Ghrist"
"El Jean and family!So sorry to hear about Steve?s passing. May God?s love and special times you shared with Steve be a source of strength to you now! Tom and Raylene Tisdale"
"El Jean and family, So sorry for your loss! May God?s love and special times you shared with Steve be a source of strength to you know! He always had a smile on his face when I would see him! Tom and Raylene Tisdale"
"We have so many great memories with the Wildebore family. All the great basketball memories and camping trips. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. We will truly miss Steve. Doyle and Vickie and family"
"ElJean: My heart breaks for you and your family. So glad we recently saw you both. Thinking of you with our deepest sympathy. Sandy Rhodes and family"
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to El Jean and Family.
Steve saved my husbands life a few years ago when he got stuck in a blizzard. My husband is a diabetic and his blood sugar was dropping fast. Steve came out in the middle of the blizzard with a candy bar and pulled my husband out to safety.
May you Rest In Peace ?"
"So sorry to hear about Steve. Our thoughts and condolences go out to you all at this time."
"Steve was someone I knew from the time we were little kids. We were in Sunday School & public school for all the many years ago; later we all enjoyed our class reunions with so many of our classmates. Steve, you will truly be missed!"