Kenneth Steine

KENNETH STEINE

Cedar Rapids

Kenneth G. Steine, 73, a resident of DeWitt, passed away peacefully in the comfort of his home Tuesday, March 31, 2015. He was surrounded by his family and died after a brief and courageous battle with cancer. A service to celebrate Ken's life will be 1 p.m. Saturday, April 4, in All Faith Chapel of Halligan McCabe DeVries Funeral Home, 614 Main St., downtown Davenport. The family will greet friends Saturday before the service from 10 a.m. until time of service. Following Ken's wishes, the rite of cremation has been be accorded.

The Halligan McCabe DeVries Funeral Home is assisting Ken's family with arrangements.

Kenneth George Steine was born April 21, 1941, in Decorah, Iowa, a son of George Adolph and Alma Amelia (Buck) Steine. Ken received his Bachelor of Arts from UNI, his master of educational adminis-tration degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and had worked toward his doctorate at the University of Iowa.

He began a nearly 40-year career in education and teaching, having taught English, speech and theater in DeWitt, Council Bluffs and Mason City. In the fall of 1974, Ken became principal of Prairie High School in Cedar Rapids, a position he held for 29 years until his retirement in 2003.

He married JerryAnn Wildman in 1964. He was later united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Ardy Espe Martin, in 2004 in Florida.

Ken enjoyed everything about life; he was vibrant, happy, energetic, compas-sionate, generous and a great friend to many. He enjoyed riding his Harley-Davidson, driving his '58 Corvette, hunting and fishing.

He was a past president of Rotary International for the Cedar Rapids West Rotary Club and a past president of the Iowa Principals Association, among other educational associations.

Memorials may be made to the Ken Steine Memorial Scholarship at Prairie High School or to Genesis Hospice.

Those left to honor his memory include his wife, Ardy; sons and daughters-in-law, Steve (Sacha) Steine and Joel (Michelle) Steine, both of Iowa City; grandchildren, Samantha, Fiona, Tabitha, Max, Gracie and George; a stepson, Tony (Shelly) Martin, DeWitt, their children – his grandsons, Jaxon Troy Martin and Fysher Robert Martin; a sister, Georgie Ann (Larry) Schuster, Cedar Rapids; a brother, Deane (Charmie) Steine, Loveland, Colo.; nieces and nephews; and special friends, Steve (Ginny) Wildman, JerryAnn (Keith) Stivers and Matt Lellig.

Ken's family would like to extend a special thanks to Dr. Schreck and to all those who have provided so much comfort, support and kindness.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a stepson, Troy Martin, in 2005. May they rest in peace.

Online remembrances and condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting Ken's obituary at www.hmdfuneral home.com.