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Steve Warner Obituary
A Celebration of Steve's Life will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, April 8, at Gering Memorial Chapel with Rev. Angie Jones officiating. Inurnment will follow at West Lawn Cemetery in Gering.
Birds and other wildlife were a great interest and love to Steve. In honor, a memorial has been established to the local Wildcat Audubon Society. Tributes of sympathy may be left at www.geringchapel.com.
The son of Roland and Jerre (Paulson) Warner, Steve was born Dec. 8, 1951, in Ft. Collins, Colo. He moved with his family at a young age to an island ranch in Western Nebraska. Growing up he was active in the Bit and Spur 4-H Club in Scottsbluff. He was a member of St. Timothy's Episcopal Church in Gering where he was baptized, confirmed and an alter boy. Steve graduated with Honors from Minatare High School. He went on to play football at the University of Northern Colorado, where he received his B.A. in psychology graduating magna cum laude in 1974. He was an assistant technician to Dr. Al Roehl at the Scottsbluff Panhandle Mental Health Center in 1972. Steve received his Ph.D. from the University of South Dakota in 1978. He then completed a year of internship at Ft. Logan Mental Health Center in Denver.
Steve was employed as a clinical psychologist at the Aurora Mental Health Center. He was known as a compassionate and capable psychologist and built a private practice in Denver. He was an active member of the Colorado Psychologist Association and served as President and on the Board of Directors for several years.
Music was one of Steve's passions. While attending Minatare High School he was selected to the Nebraska All-State Choir and Band. He was actively involved with the Dorothy Bronson Singers and in 1969 toured Europe with a 100-person choir that was sponsored by the Shenandoah Conservatory of Music.
Steve enjoyed a variety of outdoor activities, including biking, hiking and skiing. He was a sentimental, peace-loving man, with a sense of humor and devoted to raising his children, Macy and Bo. They were the greatest joy of his life.
Survivors include his daughter, Macy, and son, Bo of Aurora, Colo.; parents, Roland and Jerre (Paulsen) Warner of rural Bayard; brother, Dr. Jack Warner, of Aurora, Colo.; and numerous uncles, aunts and cousins.
Preceding him in death were his grandparents, Lewis E. and Violet (Bergquist) Warner; Dr. Paul R. and Mahree (Pendleton) Paulsen; step grandmother, Helen (Cameron) Paulsen; and aunt, Paula (Paulsen) Brown.
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Memories and Condolences
for Steve Warner
Suzanne Green Johnston
April 19, 2011
My mom and dad, Leona & George Green, sent me the information about Steve's death. From all of us, I want to extend our heartfelt sympathy. We are sad for all who knew Steve and his enormous love of life; a wonderful light has gone out in the world. But our hearts break for Mr.& Mrs. Warner and Jack. Steve brought joy to all who knew him with his voice, his smile and his infectiously positive attitude toward life. May the many happy memories of Steve comfort you during the difficult days ahead. Thank you for sharing Steve with us during his school years at Minatare. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Cleve Walstrom
April 12, 2011
For those who were not able to make Steve Warner's funeral I would like to share some stories about Steve that were told at his funeral dinner.
It has been a tradition for many years that after we have kayaked the Dismal River we sit around the campfire and pass the talking stick around. He who has the stick talks. Steve and Jack joined my family and other friends many times for those gatherings. We thought it appropriate to pass the stick in memory of Steve.
I first met Steve in 1968 at a 3 and 1/2 week All State camp for music, art, drama at the University of Nebraska. We roomed next to each other. The school worked us hard and we had little break time. We did escape to a movie at an "O" street theater.
On the way back to our dorm we walked past a bar and we went in to have a beer. We were 16 at the time and the bartender asked us for an ID. Steve was quick to reply that "We do not need an ID, we are drinking apple beer." So we sat at this round table and had a couple apple beers. Steve said, "I think I am getting a little high," and I replied, "Must be some good fermentation in the apple." We left thinking we were on a buzz. I guess in the company of each other we felt that way for many years.
Varmit T. Varney, an adventure friend with us kayakers explained that he had found a proper talking stick that we would use for this funeral event. It was a deer antler found right near the last camping spot Steve had when he camped on the Dismal River banks last year. Varmit wrote on the horn STEVE. At his funeral there also was a "Dismal River Kayakers Stick Together" tee shirt that was signed by 18 adventurers who had been with Steve at various expeditions to the Dismal River and other white water adventures.
Gordon Howard was a neighbor of Steve and Jack who had a chuck wagon and entertainment around nearby Chimney Rock. He related a story about the time Steve was playing Stars and Strips on his trumpet while his proud dad sat in the audience amd mimicked playing on his very own "Air Trumpet".
Keith Long worked with Steve in the mental health field. He related how one time his car was stuck and Steve being the weight lifter he was got out of the car and simply lifted it out of the hole it was stuck in.
Norris Warner, an uncle of Steve's told how he once teased Steve by showing 7 year old Steve how to retrieve a nail out of a hole. Norris used a magnetic wire to pull out the nail and showed Steve how to do it. Norris then switched to a wooden stick to see if Steve could pull the nail out. Steve tried but was frustrated that the nail was not coming out and replied, "They have not taught me about magnetism yet."
Mike Nuss, a classmate at Minatare remembered the high school football team's undefeated season. He told how Steve was a such a competitor and gave an extreme effort to be the best in music, sports and in the classroom. "He lifted weights before it became popular. Steve was kind hearted, fun loving guy who could transform himself into the hardest hitting middle linebacker around. Teams were scared to run at him."
Steve's 9 year old daughter, Macy, asked for the talking stick. With her big warm heart she gave a beautiful speech about how much her dad meant to her and everyone that knew him.
I might add the legacy of stories Steve left will be good for many campfires and many lifetimes.
Cleve Walstrom
John Coggins
April 12, 2011
The service for this fine man and the celebration that followed was a wonderful and caring Tribute to Steve. Many people attended and many kind words were spoken.
RIP my friend and brother.
Ross Barrow
April 9, 2011
Steven and I were roommates at Turner Hall at the University of Northern Colorado in 1971-72. Steve always had a big smile and a "Hey Buddy!" for everyone. To this day, I fondly can see him greeting me in that very positive way. We became good friends, and he was always very supportive of the endeavors of all of us in our apartment unit. That was my freshman year and his sophomore year, and I was blessed to get to know Steven. May his memory live on with his family and friends.
Cash and Deanna Franklin
April 9, 2011
Dear Roland and Jerre,
We are really sorry to hear about Steve and wish to express our deepest sympathies to you.
We would also like you to know how much your support of our family over the many years we have known you was greatly appreciated.
Fresh in my mind is when Roland came over to bale the hay when our father was injured. Jerre's daily encouragement during our teaching years was unreplaceable. Thank you.
Cindy Morgan
April 8, 2011
Jack, I am so terribly sorry about the loss of your beloved brother. John often spoke of the two of you. I pray that you find solace knowing what a special relationship you had together. My deepest sympathies to your family.
Cindy Morgan (Coggins)
Jody Chicoine (Loy)
April 7, 2011
Steve and my brother Michael Loy were good friends in high school and later went to the same college in Colorado. My Mom, Bonnie Loy, and I, would like to extend our deepest sympathy to the entire Warner family. Your smile will be remembered Steve.
Lauren Adler
April 7, 2011
Steve was one of the strongest people I have ever known. He was generous, kind, loving and fun. He was a wonderful father to his children, a loving brother and son. Above all else he was a fabulous friend. He told me on several occasions that "A friend is someone who always comes down on your side". He always came down on my side and I am proud that he was my friend. I will miss you my friend.
Janet Moss - McNeely
April 6, 2011
Wow! I can hardly wrap my head around this loss. Steve was also one of my best friends in High School, college, and beyond. I never traveled through DIA without calling him or seeing him. Although our conversations were usually short and on the run, he always had time for me. I will miss his great sense of humor with his infectious laugh, his kindness and thoughtfulness, and the generosity with which he lived his life.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Warner family at this most difficult time.
Steve Libsack
April 6, 2011
Steve was one of my closest friends throughout high school, college and in various activities during those years. The great times and memories are too many to mention. When I think of Steve, I remember a kind, caring person who would do anything possible to help a friend. I also remember him as a great athlete, musician and simply an all around good man.
April 6, 2011
I remember Steve as being an encourager. He always did his best, enabling those around him to do the same. I can still see his great smile. It makes me smile even now. I will be praying for Mr. and Mrs. Warner (from whom Steve received all his attributes), Steve's children, and brother Jack. Lynn Allen, Omaha
Mark ONeal
April 6, 2011
Steve was a wonderful person to be around who was always there for a warm greeting and an up beat attitude and could always cheer a person up and make the feel good about themself. There were many times early in our lives when we shared converstations about music, sports, psychology and just life in general. Steve was a great and wonderful friend during my Dorothy Bronson days, while we were roommates together our senior year at the University of Northern Colorado and our early years after college in the Denver area. Although life pulled us in different directions during the last few decades, I will truly and deeply miss knowing that his physical presence is no longer among us, but Steve for me will always be in my memories as a wonderful firend who could always uplift my spirit with his warm, kind and loving nature.
Mark O'Neal
Cave Creek, Az
Mark O'Neal
April 6, 2011
Steve was a wonderful person to be around who was always there for a warm greeting and an up beat attitude and could always cheer a person up and make them feel good about themself. There were many times early in our lives when we shared converstations about music, sports, psychology and just life in general. Steve was a great and wonderful friend during my Dorothy Bronson days, while we were roommates together our senior year at the University of Northern Colorado and our early years after college in the Denver area. Although life pulled us in different directions during the last few decades, I will truly and deeply miss knowing that his physical presence is no longer among us, but Steve for me will always be in my memories as a wonderful firend who could always uplift my spirit with his warm, kind and loving nature.
Mark O'Neal
Cave Creek, Az
April 6, 2011
Steve was full of great adventure and what fun he was. He will be remembered for the many talents God gave him.
Cleve Walstrom
Marysville, Ks.
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