Steven Duane “Steve” Breinig

Friday, July 10, 2026

Dec. 12, 1954 - July 7 2026

ARAPAHOE, Neb. — Steven Duane “Steve” Breinig, 71, of Arapahoe, Nebraska, passed away at home on Tuesday, July 7, 2026. He was born in Cambridge, Nebraska, on Dec. 12, 1954, the eldest child of Floyd Duane “Corky” and Barbara Jean (Land) Breinig.

He was later joined by siblings Barbara Victoria “Vickie,” Randall Scott “Scott” and Wendy Nadine. Aside from two years on the west coast when his father served in the Navy, Steve grew up working on the family farm south of Arapahoe. In 1960, the family became the fourth generation to live on the Breinig home place.

Steve graduated high school in 1973 and attended Manhattan Christian College in Manhattan, Kansas. He married his high school (and lifelong) sweetheart, Ruth Jolene Dunn Breinig, in 1974 and received a B.A. in Bible Ministries in 1977. After college, Steve and Ruth lived and farmed at Arapahoe while Steve served in the preaching ministry at several churches in southwest Nebraska. While living at Arapahoe, Steve and Ruth were blessed by the birth of their children, Lucas Warren “Luke” and Lydia Jordan “Jordan.” In 1982 Steve began custom wheat harvesting in the states of Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska and South Dakota. The harvest crew became family over the next three summers and left Steve with memories he held dear his entire life.

In 1985, the family moved to Lincoln, Neb. along with Steve’s mother-in-law, Martha Haussler Dunn. Summers were filled with the family vacations that Steve believed would be the mile-markers of life. The family cherishes memories of road trips listening to books on tape, particularly Dave Barry’s Only Travel Guide You Will Ever Need (which remains a valued family favorite). Other trips included Orlando, northern California, Washington D.C., and attendance at two Nebraska Football national championship games, The Fiesta Bowl in 1995 and the Orange Bowl in 1997 with extended family.

When the family moved to Lincoln, Steve began working in the computer services industry, first in sales and then in sales management. Steve made lifelong friends though his work and took great joy in mentoring those reporting to him in both sales and life skills. Because he traveled extensively, Ruth made many trips with him around the country, including multiple visits to Vermont while Jordan attended law school there. In 2013, Steve checked off a bucket list item by visiting the British Museum in London as well as many sites in Rome and Sicily. Steve completed his career in 2015 as the national sales manager for a company based in Dallas, Texas. Throughout his years in Lincoln, Steve also preached the gospel in churches in Lincoln and the surrounding area.

In 2015, Steve returned to his farming roots and joined his brother Scott’s custom harvesting operation. He harvested crops from Texas to Montana for the next nine years. 2022 brought Steve and Ruth back to the community of Arapahoe, where they took up residence on the family homestead in the house where Steve grew up. Throughout his life, Steve found joy and blessing in service: service to his customers, his co-workers, his family and, most importantly, his Lord Jesus.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents, Duane and Barbara Breinig; his father- and mother-in-law, Herbert and Martha Dunn; and his sister and brother-in-law, Vickie and Jim Traver. He is survived by his wife, Ruth; children, Luke Breinig and wife, Ivana Lovric, and Jordan Dunn; grandchildren, Julian and Rúna; siblings Scott Breinig and wife, Pam, Wendy Breinig and husband, Mike Pruitt; uncles, Victor Breinig and Neal McCoy; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Viewing and visitation will be Tuesday, July 14, 2026 from 5-7 p.m. at Garey Funeral Home, 652 Main St., Arapahoe. Funeral service will be Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at Arapahoe Church of Christ, in Arapahoe, with Pastor Clark Bates, officiating. Interment will be at Arapahoe Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Manhattan Christian College, Manhattan, Kansas.

Garey Funeral Home, of Arapahoe is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences and personal reflections may be left at gareyfuneralhome.com