Steven John "Steve" Kleinbach

1962 - 2018

On the evening of November 15, 2018, Steve passed away after a 16 month, hard fought, battle with cancer; while being surrounded with family and friends. Steve had just recently turned 56. Steve Kleinbach was born at Mountain Home AFB, Boise, ID on October 9, 1962. He was the first son and child to John and Marian Kleinbach. John and Marian went on to have three more children for a total of four. Three boys; Steven John, Lawrence Alan and Karl Raymond. One daughter; Karen Lea. They were all close in age and kept their parents on their toes for many years to come. John and Marian had returned to upstate New York where they were originally from after John's discharge from the Air Force in 1965. Steve was an avid Outdoorsman and followed in his father's footsteps with the love of all things in nature; hunting, fishing, hiking and camping. John was employed with IBM and was transferred to Boulder, CO in 1971. All four children went to Eisenhower Elementary, Burbank Junior High and graduated from Fairview High School. Steve went on to the University of Colorado, Boulder, where he obtained his Undergraduate Degree in Electrical Engineering. He went on to receive his Master in Science in Computer Information Systems from the Golden Gate University, San Francisco. Steve enjoyed hiking, hunting, fishing and camping in the Colorado Mountains with family and friends. It was in Colorado that the family found their love of boating. It was originally all about the fishing (with dad) but quickly changed to waterskiing for the children. Steve found one of his passions in waterskiing and bought his first boat after college. The boats and the skiing got faster as Steve's love for the sport progressed. Steve moved to Sacramento, CA in 1988 and was employed at that time with Sprint. He resided in Granite Bay and then Roseville. Steve became passionate about wine and was nicknamed a "cork dork" as he was so knowledgeable about wine. Steve and his beloved wife, Ema, enjoyed many trips to Napa and other California wineries drinking in the wine, views and memories. Steve was a loving and devoted father to his two children. He enjoyed helping them with schoolwork and spending time together whether it was riding bikes, relaxing or taking weekend trips to memorable destinations. There are fond memories from vacations in Hawaii and Lake Tahoe. Steve was last employed with Raging Wire Data Centers as the Vice President of Sales Operations. Steve was a true CU Buff fan - no matter the season. He would come home to Colorado and catch a home game each Fall and had the yearly "bet" with little brother Karl over the Rocky Mountain Showdown......Steve won the last couple of years! No dreaded sculpture on his mantle!!! Steve was preceded in death by: his father, John Raymond Kleinbach (2/7/2014) and brother, Lawrence Alan (6/11/1993). Steve is survived by: his beloved and beautiful wife, Ema Kleinbach; his two children (whom he loved and fought for), Kara Lyn Kleinbach and Derek Steven Kleinbach; his precious mother, Marian Lee Kleinbach; his doting sister, Karen Lea McBryant and her husband, Mark Alan McBryant (brother from another mother); their son and Steve's first born nephew, Jeffrey Scott McBryant (his wife Chelsea Lynn and Gr. Niece-Emma Lynn and Gr. Nephew- Easton Scott); and first born niece, Jessica Lee Schlatter (husband Nicholas Schlatter and Gr. Niece- Mackenzie Lee); the awesome little brother, Karl Raymond Kleinbach; his wife, Valerie Kenette Kleinbach; Steve's nephews, Cole Alan and Cody Raymond Kleinbach. A Celebration of Life - in Loving Memory of Steve Kleinbach will be December 8, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at The Falls Event Center, 240 Conference Center Drive, Roseville, CA 95678. A special thanks to all who have loved and supported Steve and our family over the years. He has forever touched all of our hearts and lives. Steve will be missed.... his kindness, humor and quiet intelligence live on in all of us.