Steve Block

Steven Gene Block was born on February 10, 1950, to Abraham and Irene (Buller) Block at Dallas, Oregon. He died on Friday, May 14, 2004, at his home in Henderson, Nebraska. Steve grew up in Dallas, Oregon, and moved with his family to Henderson in 1966, where he completed his high school years, graduating in 1968. Upon graduation, he attended Tabor College in Hillsboro, Kansas, for a year. In 1970, Steve was drafted into the military and chose to do his alternate service at Kingsview Hospital in Reedley, California. There he met and fell in love with Lynette Klassen, and they were married on June 9, 1973. Steve and Lynette moved to Henderson in 1974, and Steve joined the family business, Tri-County Motors, and operated the business with his father and his brother, Chuck, until 1985. Steve and Lynette were blessed with two daughters; Kara, born September 13, 1978, and Krista, born November 10, 1982. The girls were the joy of Steve's life, and they were molded into beautiful young women due to his influence on their lives. In the fall of 1985, Steve returned to college at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where he earned a bachelor of arts degree in industrial technology and art education in 1988. He earned his master of arts degree in 1990. Steve taught art at Hampton Public School for three years. He then was employed for nine years as technology coordinator and industrial technology teacher at Benedict Public School. Steve was just completing his fifth year as industrial technology teacher at York High School. Steve's heart as an educator went out to his students, and he cared deeply about them and their futures. Steve enjoyed life to the fullest, and his interests were varied and intense. He enjoyed car restoration, pottery, painting, music, woodworking, cooking and technology. He was known to family and friends as "The Ultimate Tinkerer" and a socializer with a great sense of humor. He was always organized and meticulous, much to the chagrin of his students. Steve was baptized by Pastor Louis Goertz at the Mennonite Brethren Church in Dallas, Oregon, in July of 1963. A member of Bethesda Mennonite Church in Henderson, Steve was also active in Mennonite Central Committee and participated in several relief efforts. Steve's faith was portrayed through his hands, his work, and his heart. Those left to cherish his memory are his wife Lynette of Henderson; his daughters, Kara of Los Angeles, California, and Krista of Lincoln; his parents, Abe and Irene Block of Henderson; his parents-in-law, Herk and Lu Klassen of Reedley, California; brother Chuck and his wife Karla Block of Henderson; sister Susan and her husband Bruce Hiebner of Henderson; brothers and sisters-in-laws, nieces and nephews; and many wonderful friends. Burial was on Monday, May 17, at Bethesda Cemetery near Henderson, with a memorial service at Bethesda Mennonite Church.