Jerry Steinhauser

Gerald (Jerry) Francis Steinhauser was born on February 7, 1944 in Atkinson, NE to Francis and Kathleen (Morgan) Steinhauser. He was later joined by brothers Kenny and Terry. Jerry grew up on the family homestead southeast of Stuart where he acquired his love of ranch and farm life. He graduated from Stuart High School in 1962 where he was an accomplished athlete. After spending a couple of months after graduation with some friends working in California, Jerry returned to Stuart where he lived for the rest of his life. He was a lifelong member of St. Boniface Catholic Church and a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Jerry married Sharon Addison on November 16, 1963 and they initially lived just south of the homestead and then southwest of Stuart (on the Fuller place where according to most of Jerry's stories anything and everything that ever happened took place) while Jerry worked with his father and brother milking cows, raising cattle, haying, and other farm/ranch duties. They eventually moved to a home just east of the family place and then moved onto the homestead in 1975 after his parents moved to town in Stuart. Throughout those years, Jerry and Sharon welcomed five children: Shannon in August 1964, Lisa in March 1966, Scott in August 1969, Dana in May 1972, and Jared in February 1978. After selling the livestock and equipment from the family place, Jerry worked a variety of jobs, either as a farm/ranch hand, laying carpet, or delivering fuel. While he enjoyed everything about farming and ranching life, Jerry's true love was anything related to horses. He spent countless hours breaking horses and years owning stud horses for breeding mares, in addition to his other employment throughout the years. Later on, he owned Belgian horse pairs for several years and spent time driving a wagon with them. This included participating in the Stuart 4th of July parade for many years and once driving the wagon to Atkinson to provide wagon rides at his aunt's 100th birthday party. Jerry also loved the sport of rodeo and horsemanship and spent endless hours watching live and recorded events.

In April 1983, Jerry and Sharon, in partnership with his brother Kenny and his wife Sandra, purchased Stuart Locker grocery store. In addition to the grocery and processing work, they purchased a livestock supply business, which Jerry managed throughout their time in the grocery store. Jerry and Sharon owned and operated Stuart Locker and Livestock for 40 years, having purchased the other half of the business from Kenny and Sandra in 2000. During this time, they proudly served the community of Stuart, ensuring that its residents had a hometown place to purchase their grocery and other needs. In May 2023, they sold the business to a community investment group and finally retired at almost 80 years of age, after working 60+ hours a week for those 40 years. Jerry spent years active in the Stuart Community Club and the Stuart Rodeo Association.

Jerry continued to raise horses and a few head of cattle, as well as haying alfalfa, throughout many of his years, both while and after owning the grocery store. Jerry was happiest when doing anything outside and would have preferred to spend all his time in that way. However, he was willing to put his preferences aside and do whatever was needed and best for providing for his family. Jerry loved making and tinkering with anything and could fix almost anything that needed it. He spent countless hours maintaining his yard and always found a project to do. During his time after selling the store, Jerry developed the hobby of welding designs out of horse shoes. Many of those creations went to his family, but he also sold some to others. Jerry was an avid Stuart Bronco fan and supporter and he and Sharon loved attending games.

Jerry was simultaneously a tough and soft-hearted man. His love for Sharon was always on display and he was a devoted husband and father. He deeply loved his children and their spouses and supported them at all times. For as much as he loved his wife and children, his unwavering love and pride for his grandchildren and great grandchildren was constant and easily seen. He loved doing whatever it took to tease his grandchildren and make them laugh. They were all more than willing to engage in those interactions and would seek them out if Jerry did not initiate them. The family has enjoyed reliving and retelling those stories for years. Jerry's enjoyment of teasing and making others laugh extended to his nieces and nephews, as well as any young child he encountered in the grocery store or anywhere else. He always made family meals entertaining and were best ended when "a guy could have something sweet". Jerry had an outstanding sense of humor, even at times he was not trying to be funny. Jerry's colorful and unique language and statements and numerous stories have become family legends that will be retold for years to come.

Jerry is survived by his wife Sharon of Stuart, NE after just short of 62 years of marriage; daughter Lisa Steinhauser of Olathe, KS; son Scott and wife Nancy Steinhauser of Ainsworth, NE; son Dana Steinhauser of Stuart, NE; and son Jared and wife Jenny Steinhauser of Overland Park, KS. He is also survived by grandchildren and great grandchildren Joel (Kendra) Steinhauser and their children Brynn and Cam; Brinson (Kayla) Steinhauser and their children Jayden, Brooklyn, Peyton, and Carsyn; Maggie (Jon) Alderson, Parker (Abbie) Sis and their child Collins, Claire Steinhauser, Tiarra Steinhauser; Isaac (Ashtynn) Steinhauser, Ryan Steinhauser, Addison Steinhauser, Lola Steinhauser, and Lucy Steinhauser. In addition, Jerry is survived by his brother Kenny Steinhauser of Stuart, NE, his brother Terry Steinhauser of Waterloo, NE, his brother-in-law Gary Addison of Lodgepole, NE, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and other extended family. Jerry was preceded in death by his daughter Shannon Sis in November 2020, his parents Fritz and Kathleen, his parents-in-law Delbert and Benice Addison, his sisters-in-law Carole Addison, Sandra Steinhauser, and Georgie Addison, and his brother-in-law Larry Addison.

A funeral mass and Christian burial for Jerry Steinhauser will be held Friday, October 31 at 10:30 am at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Stuart, NE. A visitation will be held at Seger Funeral Home in Stuart, NE from 5:00-8:00 pm on Thursday, October 30 with a rosary at 7:00 pm. Burial will follow at the Stuart Cemetery. Memorials in Jerry's honor can be designated to the Stuart Fire Department or the Stuart High School Athletic Fund or to the family for other future designations.