Steven L. Bunsen

Memorial Services for Steven L. Bunsen will be conducted from the Hope Lutheran Church in rural Smithfield, Nebraska on Friday, September 17, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Cathi Braasch, officiating. Private family burial will be held prior to the services at the Hope Lutheran Cemetery in Gosper County, Nebraska.

Steven Louis Bunsen, 57 years of age, of rural Smithfield, passed away on Monday, September 13, 2010 at the Phelps Memorial Health Center in Holdrege, Nebraska. Steven was born September 21, 1952 at Holdrege, Nebraska, the eldest child born to Gene R. and Patricia Joyce (Nelson) Bunsen. He was baptized and confirmed at the Hope Lutheran Church and received his education at Bertrand, graduating from Bertrand High School with the class of 1970.

Following his education he enlisted into the Army National Guard and served his country with the 1st of the 195 out of Holdrege. Steve then engaged in farming in the Smithfield and Bertrand area his entire life. On February 14, 1976 he was united in marriage to Peggy I. Forsyth and the couple were blessed with four daughters: Geolene, Amanda, Heather and Lauren. On March 19, 1992, Steve received his second chance at life in the form of a double lung transplant. This enabled him to watch his family grow. Steve was honored to have participated in the passage of LB 138 dealing with organ transplant eligibility and consent.

Steve was a member of the Hope Lutheran Church, where he was a past member of the church council, past member of the Bertrand School Board, where he served as the president, active with Second Wind Lung Transplant Association, where he served as an Executive Officer; this was a support group for Organ Transplant Recipients. In his younger years, prior to his illness he traveled to Kearney and enjoyed performing with the Barber Shoppers. A highlight of his life was a bear hunting trip to Canada with his friends and the trophy lies on his living room floor.

He leaves to mourn his passing his four daughters: Geolene Schaller and her husband, Dan of Gilbert, Arizona, Amanda Wagner of Smithfield, Heather Bunsen of Las Vegas, Nevada, and Lauren Bunsen of Kearney; four grandchildren: Isabella Schaller and Chandler, Colton and Creston Wagner; step-father, Cal Lehman of St. Petersburg, Florida; two sisters and their husbands; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents.

There will be no visitation.

A memorial has been established in his memory and will be designated at a later date.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Sandstrom Funeral Home in Bertrand is in charge of the arrangements.