Steven K. Obert

Steven Kent Obert was born at Beloit, Kansas on October 24, 1951. He was the third child of Wilbur and Ruth Heitschmidt Obert. He was baptized at Odessa Evangelical United Brethren church near Lebanon, Kansas and departed this life on March 7, 2014 at the Salina Kansas Regional Medical Center. Steve grew up on a farm south of Esbon, Kansas and attended the Westbranch and Esbon schools. He graduated with the Esbon High School class of 1970. He enjoyed sports his entire life and was very proud to have been part of the Esbon High School basketball team that played at the state tournament in 1970. Steve continued to play basketball for a semester at Fort Hays State and also played on various town leagues through the years. Steve married Doris Allen in 1978. They later divorced.
He worked for Farmway Coop in Lebanon for several years and also farmed. He held many jobs over the years including caretaker for a mobile home park, pen riders for feed lots, and assisted several farmers in local and surrounding areas. His final years of employment were spent working for the CPI grain facility at Hayland near Roseland, Nebraska.
Steve thoroughly enjoyed watching his nieces and nephews participate in their sporting events through the years. He was a loyal K-State fan, and cheered for any opponent of the Huskers (mostly to irritate his Nebraska friends). In later years, Steve would faithfully drive to Lebanon and spend weekends with his parents – driving his Dad to the farm and helping him or his Mom with their latest projects when weather permitted. When his parents' health failed and they moved to an apartment and care facility in Beloit, he made frequent trips to visit or simply sit by their side.
Many years of hard work and play concluded with Steve's retirement and move to the Mankato apartments in 2008. Steve always said everyone there took great care of him and he enjoyed his time with neighbors and friends. He also mentioned how much he looked forward to the wonderful homemade cinnamon rolls and fellowship with his friends at the Village Café in Esbon. His family agreed that Steve inherited the Heitschmidt "gift of gab". He truly enjoyed debating politics and could always throw in a Rush Limbaugh or Shawn Hannity quote for good measure. He had a sarcastic wit, colorful vocabulary, a hearty laugh and hidden underneath – a soft heart.
Steven was preceded in death by his parents - Wilbur and Ruth Obert, grandparents - Sam and Mary Obert and Nick and Tillie Heitschmidt, and brother - Mark Obert.
Those who cherish his memory are sisters, Dixie and husband Ken Larson of Kearney, Nebraska; Jeanette and husband Charles Luke of Beloit, Kansas; and former sister-in-law Kay Kriley of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Nieces and nephews – Brian Obert of McCook, Nebraska; Justin Obert of Fort Collins, Colorado; Ryan (and Jaye) Luke of Monterey Bay, California; Ben (and Nichole) Larson of Bennington, NE; Cassie Luke of Flagstaff, Arizona; Kristen Larson of Chandler, Arizona; Nick (and Melissa) Luke of Beloit, Kansas; Haley Larson of Iowa City, Iowa; and Brady Luke of Manhattan, Kansas; great nieces - Emma and Avery Larson of Bennington, Nebraska and Jeanece Luke of Beloit, Kansas and many cousins and friends.

Memorial services will be at 10:30 AM Monday, March 10 at the Esbon Methodist Church. There will be no visitation, as cremation has taken place. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Mankato Housing Authority or the Esbon Cafe.