Steven Walter Rabe

Steven Walter Rabe

March 14, 1949 – April 2, 2025

Steven Walter Rabe was born on March 14, 1949, to Phillip W. and Dorothy M.S. (Ritland) Rabe in Denison, Iowa. He was baptized on April 17, 1949, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Hanover Township, Charter Oak, Iowa, where he was also confirmed on April 7, 1963.

Steven graduated from Denison High School on May 25,1967, and enrolled at the University of Northern Iowa where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts on November 9,1971. He then went on to obtain a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from National University in San Diego, California, graduating July 15, 1990.

After obtaining his bachelor’s degree, Steven’s teaching career began in Melvin, Iowa. In the summer of 1974, Steven moved to Omaha, Nebraska, and taught at Lewis and Clark Middle School until 1979. Steven then moved to Germany where he taught for the Department of Defense for 26 years in Bamberg, Heilbronn and Schweinfurt. After retiring, Steven relocated back to Omaha, Nebraska.

Steven’s passion was traveling, taking him to 56 countries and six continents. While his goal was to make it to all seven continents, declining health prevented him from traveling to all seven–missing just Australia. He enjoyed sharing his pictures, adventures and stories of his world travels.

Steven was an artist; his talents included painting, calligraphy, drawing, floral arranging and stained-glass work. He was an avid antique collector and took great pleasure in playing Bridge, going to movies and spending time with family. He was very knowledgeable in the family ancestry and collected family portraits going back generations. He was proud of his German heritage and was often thought to be a native of Germany.

Steven passed away on April 2, 2025, in Omaha, Nebraska. He was preceded in death by his parents and infant sibling.

Steven is survived by his brother Stanley Rabe; sisters, Patricia (Roger) Osterberg, Beverly (Richard) Hilburn, and Janet (Jeff) McLaughlin; nieces and nephews; great- nieces and nephews and many friends as well.

Steven was a kind, generous and loving person with a big heart. His laugh and humor will be greatly missed.

Memorials may be sent to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Hanover Township, Charter Oak, Iowa, in Steven’s name.

Heafey-Hoffmann-Dworak-Cutler, West Center Chapel, 7805 West Center Road, Omaha, Ne 68124. (402)-391-3900. www.heafeyheafey.com