Steven Arthur Kirchner

Steven A. Kirchner, age 72, died suddenly at his home in Iowa City on Tuesday, August 5, 2025.

Steve was born July 8, 1953, to Wilbur & Trudy Kirchner. He was the third of five boys in the family, graduated from South Tama County High School in 1971, and attended Marshalltown Community College. Steve made many lifelong friends through school and was able to reconnect with many of them in recent years through social media.

Steve held a variety of jobs throughout his life, including being a shoe salesman, a newspaperman, a telemarketer, a maintenance worker, a retail salesman, and retiring in 2017 from Schenker Logistics Warehouse in West Branch.

Steve could often be found cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Kansas City Chiefs and he was always willing to tease his friends that cheered for other teams. Steve enjoyed playing golf, traveling, and telling stories and jokes to anyone who would listen. Though he never proclaimed to be a good singer, he could be persuaded to belt out a tune with his friends for an impromptu karaoke session.

Steve was an active volunteer for a number of organizations within the Iowa City area, but his favorite was playing the role of Santa during the holidays for The Arc of Southeast Iowa. He always knew what the kids were looking for and what they needed to hear from Santa.

Steve married Mary Nelson and had two children together, Sara & Chad. Steve & Mary were married until Mary's death in 1999.

In 2010, Steve married Gail Conner, providing to him a growing, blended family. Gail remained by his side until his death.

Steve was preceded in death by both his parents, his brothers Jim & Rich, and his wife Mary.

Steve is survived by his wife, Gail; his daughter Sara (Bob) Morlan of Tiffin; his son Chad (Shannon) Kirchner of Monticello; his brother Dan (Denise) Kirchner of Toledo; sister in law Mary Kirchner of Toledo; stepdaughters Meggan Montgomery & Lindsay Montgomery of Iowa City; stepson Landon Conner of North Liberty; grandchildren Tommy & Mayla Morlan of Tiffin; step granddaughters Abagail Whitehouse of Tiffin, Rachel Whitehouse of Cedar Rapids, and Olivia Hanlon of Iowa City; step grandsons Zachariah & Elijah Torson of Marion as well as his step great granddaughters Leah and Elenor Whitehouse of Tiffin.

Steve is also survived by many nieces and nephews, friends he called family, and his beloved dog Marta who won't know who to boss around now.

Visitation will be held from 1-3:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 10, 2025 at Lensing Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City. A memorial service will follow at 3:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to The Arc of Southeast Iowa.