Harvey Paul Steier

Harvey Paul Steier

June 9, 1944 - April 25, 2024

ATWOOD, Kan. - Harvey Paul Steier, age 79 passed away after a short battle with cancer on April 25, 2024, in Atwood, Kan.

Harvey was born June 9, 1944, in Oberlin, Kan. He met his wife Cheryl Frecks at Cheryl’s birthday party in McCook, Neb. Harvey married Cheryl on Oct. 25, 1965, and they started their life together in Oberlin, Kan. They had one daughter, Melinda Gooch and one son, Shawn Steier.

Early in his career, Harvey worked for Decatur County and got his start working with heavy equipment. In 1970, they moved to Colorado where he worked in the oil fields and at a concrete company. The couple moved to Atwood in 1975, where he worked for Rawlins County. In 1982, he left his job at the county to farm. His greatest joy while farming was raising cattle. He retired from farming in 2012. He was a legend at running heavy equipment and there wasn’t a piece of machinery that Harvey couldn’t operate.

After retiring, Harvey continued to work various odd jobs around Atwood which ranged from plumber’s assistant, sanitation truck driver, to caretaker of the fairgrounds. He also enjoyed occasionally babysitting with his wife, Cheryl. Through babysitting he got to know three special little girls, Josie, Haisley, and Ruth. Harvey was always more than willing to cooperate with whatever was on their agenda for fun. The girls enjoyed putting barrettes in what little hair Harvey had left and painting his fingernails to ensure he was always looking his best.

Harvey’s biggest legacy was his work ethic. He was always a hard worker and often worked 12-hour days six days a week. He still managed to find a way to attend as many of his children’s activities as possible. Harvey’s work ethic was instilled into his children and has now been passed down to his grandchildren. Brady is an Electrical Engineer, Jami is a Software Engineer, Gavin is attending college for a game design degree, and Ava will be attending college in the fall on a swimming scholarship and pursuing a degree in nursing.

Harvey is survived by his wife Cheryl Steier; his daughter Melinda Gooch (Phil): his son Shawn Steier (Annette Purdon); and his four grandchildren, Brady Gooch (fiancée Elisabeth Paxton), Jami Gooch (Josh Miller), Gavin Steier and Ava Steier.

Visitation is 5-7:00 p.m. Thursday, May 2, 2024, at Baalmann Mortuary, Atwood. Memorial Service is 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 3, 2024, at Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church, Atwood, with burial in Fairview Cemetery, Atwood. Memorials in Harvey’s name may be made to God’s Little Saints Preschool at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Atwood and sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or condolences visit baalmannmortuary.com