John A. “Jack” Steenson

STEENSON, John A. “Jack” Nov 30, 1928 – Apr 11, 2014 John A. “Jack” Steenson passed away on April 11, 2014, after being on the losing end of a fight with pulmonary fibrosis. Jack was born in November 1928 in Greeley, Nebraska, the youngest of five kids. At age 7, Jack and his family made the move from the farm to the big O. For his first job at age 12, Jack delivered newspapers, starting with a morning route and later adding an evening route. He then started an additional job of working at a local drug store in south Omaha where he made bicycle deliveries of prescription medications to six packs, making ten cents per hour. Shortly after graduation from Omaha South High School in 1946, Jack enlisted in the U.S. Army where he served for three years, much of that time in Japan. After returning from his overseas tour with the U.S. Army in 1949, Jack enrolled in Creighton University. In his second semester at Creighton in 1950, Jack met and later married Rita Ryan. Their first date was a Sunday afternoon ballgame of the Omaha Royals at Rosenblatt Stadium. The loving marriage produced 10 children. Jack graduated from Creighton in 1953 with a degree in business. In 1965, Jack opened Steenson Electric out of his house right after the birth of his ninth child. The company name was later changed to Century Electric and today is still run in Omaha by three of Jack’s sons. In 1987, his wife Rita passed away; in 1989 Jack married Alcira Hernandez from Mesa, AZ, and relocated to Arizona, where he lived until the time of his death. Jack enjoyed his last 25 years playing golf, spending time with family, and enjoying an Ultra or two on occasion. He loved to travel, especially with family or to family events. He was a faithful member of Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Mesa, AZ. Jack’s strong faith helped carry him through many tough events including the loss of his wife, the loss of his daughter Nancy in 1990, and his declining health in recent years. Jack’s 10 kids, 4 stepchildren, 27 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren were blessed with a wonderful, dedicated, honest, funny and welcoming soul; he will be sorely missed. Jack is survived by his wife, Alcira Hernandez of Mesa, AZ; brother, Jerry Steenson of Omaha, NE; sister, Mary Lou Gilroy of Omaha, NE; children: Maggie, Mark and Mike (Kathy) Steenson, all of Omaha, Matt Steenson of Council Bluffs, IA, John Steenson (Cathy) of Crescent, IA, Jim Steenson (Anita) of Milford, CT, Andy Steenson of Redmond, WA, Bill Steenson (Terri) of Lee’s Summit, MO, Paul Steenson (Sandy) of Oklahoma; stepchildren: Junior (Diana) and Hector (Angie) Hernandez, Suzee Melvin (Chuck), and Sandra Ling (Ted) of Mesa, AZ. The family will receive friends Monday, April 21st, from 5pm to 7pm at St. Leo the Great Catholic Church, with VIGIL SERVICE at 7pm at the Church. MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL Tuesday, April 22nd at 10am at St. Leo the Great Catholic Church. Interment, Calvary Cemetery with full military honors. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 141 North MacDonald, Mesa, AZ 85201.

HEAFEY-HEAFEY-HOFFMANN DWORAK & CUTLER Mortuaries and Crematories 7805 West Center Road Omaha, Nebraska 68124 (402) 391-3900

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