R. David (Dave) Steiner

Dave left this world for the next much too soon at age 57, April 24, 2022. It was so unlike him to slip quietly away in his sleep with no fanfare from a sudden heart related event. We always thought he'd go out loud, with an audience, probably after saying, "Here, hold my beer and watch this!" Dave loved being the life of the party and was a legendary story teller who kept his friends and family laughing. Dave said it like it was and you always knew where you stood with him and what he thought. He was also kind and generous and would be the first person to acknowledge his own shortcomings and then laugh at himself. He often accused his three sisters of being born with silver spoons in their mouths. When his sister came back at him with, "you were born with the same silver spoon, you just weren't smart enough to bite," Dave roared with laughter and said, "you're absolutely right." He loved to have fun but was a dedicated, responsible, Journeyman Technician who was admired, respected and well-liked by everyone at LVC Companies. Dave served proudly in the U.S. Navy for 4 years, where he worked his way up to a coveted role on his ship as the postmaster. The same creativity that had him asking his mom for more and more buttered graham cracker sandwiches in his school lunch as a 2nd grader, which his mom later found out he was selling to other kids, also had him installing large hooks to the walls of his ship's post office which he used for a hammock. He'd close up the window and take naps. When asked by a commander what the hooks were for, he said "Well sometimes we get big bags of mail. Those are to hang the bags on." Apparently they bought it.

Most importantly, Dave loved his people well. He was so happy these past 8 years with his dearly loved girlfriend, Kris Koshenina. He always got up when she walked in the door to greet her with affection and frequently told her, "My job is to make you happy." He will be so missed by Kris.

Dave's cousin, roommate and life-long best friend, Tom Sand, said it well, "Dave was such a kind and caring guy and had a heart of gold." Tom was amazed at Dave's ability to tell wonderful, hilarious stories and Dave brought much joy, companionship and family to Tom, who is in disbelief that his best friend is gone.

Dave will also be sorely missed by his loving parents, Ralph and Judy Steiner and his sisters Karen Flink (Doug), Becky Henry (Jay), Beth LaQua (Mark) and their families, all of whom have a lifetime of memories of Dave and a treasure trove of laughter he brought them. Dave was loud, mischievous and funny. He was kind, loyal and tender-hearted. And he'd love it that we didn't make him out to be anybody other than who he was. He was one in a million.

We will be having a Celebration of Dave's life at 12:00 on Saturday, June 11 in the Fellowship Hall of St. Andrews Lutheran Church, 900 Stillwater Rd, Mahtomedi, MN.