Steven Robert Kunert

Steven Robert Kunert

Cedar Rapids

Steven Robert Kunert, 65, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away on Oct. 20 due to heart failure. A memorial service will be held on Friday, Nov. 3, 11 a.m. at the Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories; 4200 First Ave. NE in Cedar Rapids. A private interment will take place at Riverside Cemetery in Spencer, Iowa, at a later date.

Steve was born on May 16, 1958, to Robert and Jean Kunert in Spencer, Iowa. The second of six children, he graduated from Spencer High School in 1977. Steve was always curious about how things worked, and growing up he enjoyed taking things apart and loved working in the garage with his dad on all types of machinery, vehicles, and carpentry projects. He turned that love into a career, first attending Northwest Iowa Community College and later earning an Engineering degree from the University of Iowa. He worked full time while attending school, beginning at FMC Enterprises, followed by Norand, Intermec, and eventually his own company, SNK Enterprises, which brought the ideas of inventors to life and advanced efficiencies for rugged computers.

Steve had a creative mind and could fix anything. His favorite pastime was working in his garage. He will be remembered for having a silly sense of humor, eclectic musical tastes ranging from hard rock to musical theater, riding his motorcycle, and being a lifelong Hawkeyes fan. He was never without a book or two in progress and enjoyed rewatching his favorite films. His home was decorated with cards and pictures of his loved ones, and he got a thrill out of seeing new pictures of his grandkids pop up on the electronic picture frame.

Steve is survived by a blended family whom he was endlessly proud of and loved with his whole heart. His passing is grieved deeply by his daughters Stephanie Eschler (David) and Stacy Coleman (Neal), from his first marriage to Heidi Hanson (née Glander) with whom he remained close friends throughout his life. Through his second marriage to Nancy Knapp, he took on the role of loving stepfather to stepdaughters, Ellen Weddleton (Nick) and Rachel Davis (Andy, daughter Lily). And from his final long-term relationship with Mary Reynolds, he expanded his family to include her daughters Rachel Cushman (Taylor, and son Avery), Liz, and Sammy, and loved her son Alex as his own.

Steve was a loving grandfather who will be missed by Atlas and Arden Coleman.

Steve is also survived by his mother, Jean, and siblings Bev, Bill, Robyn, Dawn, and Brian and numerous nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and -nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, and the family finds comfort in thinking about Bob and Steve tinkering together in a garage somewhere in heaven.