Steven Keith Smith

Steven Keith Smith, 52, of Ottawa, died Tuesday, February 18, 2020 at Olathe Health Hospice House after bravely battling cancer for three years. Memorial services will be held at 10:00 A.M., Saturday, February 29, 2020, at the Ottawa First United Methodist Church. Inurnment Highland Cemetery, Ottawa. Steve was born November 22, 1967 in Fort Dodge, Iowa, the son of Keith E. and Joyce A. (Meyer) Smith. As a young child Steve lived in Humboldt, Iowa and Atlantic, Iowa. He moved with his family to Ottawa, Kansas at the age of 5, where his father was district manager for Schwan’s Consumer Brands. Steve attended school in Ottawa, graduating with the Ottawa High School Class of 1986. In school he was involved in football, basketball and baseball. Upon graduation, Steve went to work for Schwan’s Consumer Brand Company. He worked as a warehouse manager for Schwan’s in Ottawa from 1987 to 1989; in Hermann, Missouri from 1989 to 1990; and in House Springs, Missouri from 1990 to 1991. In 1991, Steve was promoted to warehouse supervisor in O’Fallon, Missouri, where he worked until 2006. At that time, he was promoted to distribution supervisor for Schwan’s in Bridgeton, Missouri where he was responsible for 40 truck routes in 4 states. He retired from his nearly 30-year Schwan’s career in 2015, when he moved back to Ottawa, Kansas. He began working at Smart Warehouse in Edgerton, Kansas in 2015 where he worked until his cancer diagnosis in 2017. On July 3, 2016 Steve was united in marriage to Marianne Harnden Boeh at his father’s home in Ottawa, Kansas, with Marianne’s father officiating the ceremony. The couple resided in Ottawa. Steve was a kind, humble, gentle and proud man. He was a hard worker; loyal to his family and friends, and a persistent perfectionist in any project he attempted. He never wanted to be in the spotlight or have the focus be on him, but rather preferred to quietly do anything and everything he could to make the lives of those he loved a little bit easier and a lot more fun. Steve had a soft spot for, as he said, “kids and canines”. When he was with friends and family, you would always find the kids and the dogs close by. His sarcastic and quick-witted sense of humor brought much joy and laughter to his family and friends. Steve enjoyed all kinds of music and going to concerts. He loved traveling with Marianne, working on home improvement projects and spending hours mowing and working at his parent’s country home. Steve is survived by his wife, of the home; two stepsons, Dillon Boeh and wife Celsie of Ottawa and Drew Boeh of Ottawa; sister, Jaci Hazen of Ottawa; brother, Jeff Smith and wife Dawn of Leslie, Missouri; two nephews, Tyler Hazen and wife Dana of Overland Park and Adam Hazen and significant other, Abby Chappell of Olathe; two nieces, Emily and Kayla Smith of Leslie, Missouri; great-niece, Norah Hazen of Overland Park; father-in-law, Jerry Harnden of Ottawa; brother-in-law, Jonathan Harnden and wife Kendra of Waverly; best friend and honorary brother, Roy Doskal, Jr. and wife Jennifer; and honorary niece and nephews, Drew, Cole and Danielle Doskal all of St. Peters, Missouri; as well as several aunts, uncles and cousins. He will also be greatly missed by his sweet companion, Ellie. Steve was preceded in death by his mother in 2015; his father in 2019; brother-in-law, Keith Hazen; and mother-in-law, Dee Anne Harnden. The family suggests memorial contributions to Franklin County Cancer Foundation c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.