Steven G. Luehrs

Steven G. Luehrs, 77, of Muskegon, Michigan passed away early Sunday, February 16, 2025.

Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Steve spent much of his childhood in the Alger Heights neighborhood. His carpenter father built several homes including two within Alger. Little Steve was often hammering at his side or helping his beloved mother make a daily pie. He enjoyed exploring the Alger woods with his brother, Tom. After suddenly losing his father at age 11, Steve and his family moved to Rockford, a place he came to love with its acres of rolling woods for hunting and shooting. They moved again his senior year and he graduated from Grand Rapids Central High School.

Steve and Tom also shared brotherhood in the United States Marine Corps, and Tom recounts his little brother's service: Steve enlisted in the Marine Corps in the Fall of 1966. He went through boot camp in San Diego, where he excelled in marksmanship with the M14 rifle - left handed, though his primary hand was right! Steve was the high shooter in his platoon and for this accomplishment, was awarded a medal by Leatherneck Magazine, promoted to Private First Class, and given a set of dress blues. Following boot camp, Steve attended an in-depth electronics school. Upon graduation, he was assigned to a Marine Corps A6 Intruder squadron. He served in Vietnam for 13 months, where he came under enemy fire several times during Tet. After returning to the United States, Steve finished his enlistment in 1970 as a Sergeant. After their service, Steve and Tom called each other every year on November 10 to wish each other Happy Marine Corps Birthday.

Though he always excelled in shooting and was invited to continue in an elite sharpshooter program and related career in the Marine Corps, Steve wasn't interested and never returned to hunting or had any interest in picking up a gun again. He went on to make a career of almost thirty years in the tele-communications industry, including Michigan Bell, AT&T, and SBC, where he also worked several years alongside his brother.

Steve married Carol Kosla after returning home from Vietnam. Together they had two strong daughters, Tammy and Christy. They sadly lost Carol to mental illness while the girls were very young. They lost her again to breast cancer in 2001. Last month could have been their 53rd wedding anniversary.

Our dad fully embraced raising his young girls on Holmdene Street with all his heart, character, and outdoors spirit. He adored being Grandpa to Allie and Riley and built a baby cradle within weeks of learning he'd soon have a new role in life. We could write volumes of the ice cream runs, camping adventures, sledding hills built in the backyard, Christmases by cozy fireplaces he also built, encouragement in education, and countless sacrifices he made for both his daughters and granddaughters, but quite simply, he was a tremendous hero to all of us.

After retirement, our dad moved to a beautiful log home in Rockford and built himself the woodshop of his dreams. He cherished his days in this home, entertaining family and friends and watching Michigan football. Special moments there with his family include playing Spoons, sleepovers in his camper, walks through the woods, and creating gorgeous things from wood in his shop alongside his adopted cat Brooklyn (affectionately called Brookie.) He freely shared with loved ones the art he created, including cutting boards, bar carts, tables, chairs, bird houses, knitting needles, and he was always ready to figure out the latest project any of his girls had in mind. He was also the first to volunteer to do any repairs or home improvements for those he loved and even those he barely knew.

Having a love for kayaking and the water, our dad moved to the lakeshore in Muskegon towards the end of his life. His daily routine included grabbing a coffee, driving to nearby Lake Michigan, then reporting back about weather conditions.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents, Wilbur "Bill" Luehrs and Margaret "Peggy" Pullen Luehrs Gepford; stepfather, Henry Gepford; and several extra special dogs over the years including Zachary, Shenanigan "Shan", Kent, Panda, Daisy, Schatzi, Killian, Reeses, and Arjay. He is survived by two daughters, Tamara (Rob) Buikema and Christina Luehrs; two granddaughters, Allie (Kyle) Melnick and Riley Buikema; brother, Tom (Ginny) Luehrs; niece, Cindy Girodat; and nephew, Dan Luehrs. He immensely enjoyed the many friendships he made at the Muskegon Yacht Club. His Tuesday afternoon lunch group with the guys was another highlight of his week in recent years. And every neighbor, wherever he lived, always became a treasured friend.

Tamara and Christina would like to thank everyone for their outpouring of support this week. While our dad hadn't been in perfect health, his death after a recent illness was a painful surprise to us all. A celebration of Steve will be planned for early summer. He would shovel out any neighbor in need, but really did loathe winter and would have preferred we gather for him outdoors on a warmer day. If you'd like to do something nice in his memory, bake an apple pie to share with a loved one. You could also donate to your local humane society or favorite animal shelter.

Arrangements entrusted to The Sytsema Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 737 E. Apple Ave., Muskegon, MI 49442. Share memories with the family at www.sytsemafh.com.