Steven L. Hollembaek

Steven Hollembaek, 69, of Independence, Mo passed away October 17, 2017. Steve was born Oct. 2, 1948 in Evanston, Illinois and died October 17, 2017, in Independence, Missouri, surrounded by family. The family moved to Kansas City area in 1954. Steve graduated from Raytown South High School in 1966, and was a member of Raytown Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He was an Eagle Scout. Steve attended the University of Missouri, where he met the love of his life, Emily Horner, in Marching Mizzou. They were married in Independence, Mo, January 30, I971, and went to live in Topeka, Ks., as Steve was an air traffic controller in the U. S. Air Force. Subsequently, they were stationed in the Azores, Portugal, where their daughter Anne was born, and then moved to Loring A.F.B., Maine. After the Air Force, Steve finished his undergraduate degree at Oklahoma City University, and his M. B. A. at Central University of Oklahoma. His children David and Frances were both born in Oklahoma during that time. The family lived in Kansas City, Connecticut, Kentucky, and Massachusetts while Steve worked as Sales Manager at Hertz, AirBorne Express, and A.T. and T. After retiring, Steve worked at Reece Nichols Real Estate and enjoyed substitute teaching.
He was an Elder at First Presbyterian Church of Independence, as well as a lively Sunday School teacher, a life member of the M. U. Alumni Association, and rabid fan of M. U. and K. C. sports teams. He and Emily traveled extensively in the U. S. and Europe, always visiting friends in France and their foreign exchange daughter Kathleen in Belgium as part of the voyage. With David’s family living in Germany, that was becoming a more frequent destination. Biannual Hollembaek family reunions to varied locations were a great time to reconnect and teach the new generation how to play pinochle. Some of his favorite trips were Amtrak to the Grand Canyon and to L. A. via Glacier National Park, Scotland, and the south of France, as well as weddings in Belgium, Germany, and Portugal. Family visits were always tucked in along the way. He loved spending vacations with his children and grandchildren, experiencing their ordinary lives as well as special occasions. Teaching them home run derby, how to ride a bike, playing mini-golf, or sharing the latest Disney movie together were favorite pastimes with Opa. He will be remembered also for his famous “Father of the Bride” speeches.
“Uncle Holly” was preceded in death by his parents, Louis F. and Beverlie P. Hollembaek. He is survived by his wife Emily (Horner) Hollembaek of the home, his children, Anne Catherine Hess and husband Erik of San Jose, CA., David Louis Hollembaek and wife Katrin, of Furstenfeldbruck, Germany, and daughter Frances Marie Knudson and husband Joseph, of Kansas City, MO. His grandchildren are Ingrid, Thorsten, Louis, Neyla, Reece and Hazel. Survivors include his sister, Margaret (Hollembaek) Graham of Speedway, Indiana, and multitudes of brothers-and sisters-in law, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews from across the country. Many friends from schools, churches, and work will miss his jokes and pithy remarks on all subjects! May he rest in peace.
Visitation will take place from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Monday, October 23, at Speaks Suburban Chapel on 39th Street in Independence, MO. The memorial service will be held on Tuesday, October 24, at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Independence, 100 South Pleasant Street, Independence, MO 64050. Memorial contributions may be made to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 230 East Ohio Street, Suite 500, Chicago, Illinois 60611 or First Presbyterian Church of Independence, address listed above.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements: Speaks Suburban Chapel 816-373-3600)