James “Jim” D. Steiner (1949-2020)
James “Jim” D. Steiner, 70, passed away March 3, 2020, at Great Bend Health & Rehab, Great Bend. He was born March 18, 1949, at Ellsworth, to Clayton C. & Barbara J. (Foote) Steiner. He lived the first five years of his life in Black Wolf, Kan.
A lifetime Great Bend resident, James was a salesman. He was a member of Prince of Peace Parish at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Great Bend and enjoyed attending Sunday mass at the Dominican convent. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the American Legion Post 180.
As a student at St. Patrick’s grade school, he was an altar boy and was proud to have served at the ground breaking of St. Patrick’s church, along with his brother Dan. He graduated with the Great Bend High School Class of 1967. He attended Fort Hays State University and later received his Associate’s degree from Barton County Community College. He served two terms in the Kansas National Guard, 161st Field Artillery.
Whether hunting a field in Barton County, fishing on a sand bar on the Smoky Hill River, or hunting the pools of Cheyenne Bottoms, fishing the rocky banks of Lake Wilson, walking the historic beaches of Normandy, France, or sipping a Guiness in a pub in Dublin, Jim truly enjoyed a great adventure. But Jim was happiest sitting in a lawn chair in the driveway with a cooler of Coors or PBR’s lighting fireworks on the 4th of July and hanging around the old family haunts of Black Wolf, Kan. He loved to have fun! Fast cars, Kansas State and Notre Dame sports, searching for war history on the computer, learning about local Kansas history, playing poker, smoking Swisher Sweets, camping, hunting and fishing. He was the Scout Master of Troop 157 and enjoyed going to Camp Kanza. He loved right wing conservatism and was just a big kid at heart.
Survivors include, his mother, Barbara Steiner; a brother, Dan Steiner and wife Cathy of Stilwell; two sisters, Susan Steiner of Great Bend, and Laurie Cooke and husband Stacey of Junction City; many aunts and uncles; four nieces and their families, Tara Terella (Adam) of Aurora, Colo., Bethany Cooke (Adam) of Junction City, Katie Kidwell (fiancé Justin Lytle) of Junction City, and Briana Talley (Ken) of Wichita; two nephews, Ryan Steiner of Overland Park, and Clint Steiner (Christi) of Overland Park; his great nieces and nephews, Carson, Addison, Grace, Colin, Cooper, Ava, Alyssa, Jack, Jameson, Callen, Cara, Lacey, Miles, Aaron, Tatum, Kenny, and baby boy due in June.
He was preceded in death by his father, Clayton Steiner; grandparents, Thomas and Barbara Foote, and Joseph and Doris Steiner; many aunts and uncles; a nephew, Clayton Cooke; and a great niece, Kylie Steiner.
Mass of Christian Burial was Monday, March 9, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, with Father Louis Trung Dinh Hoang presiding. Interment was in the Great Bend Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to Holy Family School Endowment Fund, Prince of Peace Parish or Knights of Columbus, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.
Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net