Kenneth Steen

As his family and friends can attest, if Kenneth Steen was around one was sure to know it as his zest for life was contagious. He was the life of the party wherever he went and a stranger to none and a friend to all. Ken had a great sense of humor and was the king of April Fool’s Day pranks to remember. A more devoted husband and loving father would be hard to find as there was no greater joy in life than spending time with his loved ones gathered all around. A man of great character, Ken was an inspiration to all who knew and loved him. It will never be the same without him here, but the memories he leaves behind will never be forgotten.

Life in America during the 1930s was anything but easy as the entire decade was cloaked in the hardship of the Great Depression. Jobs were scarce, the unemployment rate skyrocketed, and people were left doing whatever they could to make ends meet. The nation’s youth became saddled with adult worries in many cases, yet the American spirit could not be broken. It was during this trying time that a young couple from Kankakee, Illinois, couldn’t have been happier as they welcomed a healthy baby boy into their hearts and home on April 1, 1937. Kenneth C. was one of seven children born to his parents, George and Irene Rita (Burgen) Steen, and he was raised in the family home alongside his siblings, Reveneal, Norita, Irinean, David, Roger, and Donald.

In many ways, Ken, as he was often known, experienced an upbringing that was fairly common for the youth of his generation. The challenges of the 1930s gave way to the perils of war during the 1940s as our nation became engulfed in WWII for nearly the first half of the decade. The years that followed the war were filled with a return to the normalcy of being a nation at peace, and the baby boom that lasted more than a decade got underway.

Life was forever changed for Ken when he met the young woman of his dreams. Her name was Jean Guynn, and after dating for a time the couple found themselves deeply in love. With a desire to establish a life together they became husband and wife on November 11, 1960, in Nashville, Illinois. Together they were blessed with the births of two children: Debbie, and Darin. Ken was an extraordinary father who was like a kid at heart in so many ways.

In everything he did Ken was one to work hard. His career spanned 38 years with the IBEW Union where he worked as an electrician. After more than 38 years of service, Kenny retired in 1994.

Kenny impacted the lives of so many others who were within his reach. He always took time to say “hi” to the neighbor kid next door as he got out of his truck. In fact, he often took a few minutes to rebound basketballs with this impressionable young man while filling him in on Darin's football career. There was even a time that he took this young man and his father to see Darin’s game in person, filling them in on all the details of the college football life on the way to the game. Through this experience the love for football was born in the heart of a young man who was not even in his teenage years yet.

Although nothing was more near and dear to the heart of Ken than spending time with his loved ones, there were so many things that enriched his life along his journey. He loved heading out on the open road on his motorcycle, and he was an outdoors man to his core who loved spending time at his cabin on Lake of Egypt in addition to fishing. Ken also enjoyed traveling, but was thankful to be home, too.

Accompanied by an unforgettable smile that could light up a room, Kenneth Steen was a true blessing in the lives of many. He was gentle and kind with a contagious sense of humor to boot. When remembering Kenny, a favorite Bible passage found in Ecclesiastes 3: 1 and 2, which reads: “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to uproot,” bring true comfort. Ken will be deeply missed and warmly remembered.

Kenneth C. Steen of Bourbonnais passed away on July 7, 2013. Ken’s family includes his wife, Jean; children, Tammy Steen of Carbondale, IL, Debbie Jackson, and Darin Steen both of Bourbonnais; grandchildren, Seth, Luke, Sara, Kiana, and Lexi. Also surviving are his siblings Norita Kemp, Irinean Swartz and Donald Steen. Ken was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Sherman (infant), Reveneal, Roger and David Steen.

A gathering will be Thursday, July 11th from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at the Schreffler Life Story Funeral Home, Bourbonnais, IL. Another gathering will be held Friday at Bethel Baptist Church, 119 E. Bethel Dr., Bourbonnais, IL at 10 a.m. until the service begins at 11:00 a.m. Memorials may be made for the family wishes. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can leave a favorite memory or sign the online guestbook. Arrangements are provided by Schreffler Life Story Funeral Home.