Funeral Notice: Steven H. Hubers

 

Steve Hubers, age 67 of Jordan, was passed unexpectedly on Monday, February 6, 2023. While Steve left us far too soon, the impact he had on everyone he met will last a lifetime.

On April 8th, 1955, parents Harold and Luella (Jeurissen) Hubers were blessed with their first and only boy, Steven Harry Hubers. Steve was born and raised in Shakopee, Minnesota. Steve was the oldest of four children. Steve’s life was shaped by his formative years and resulted in a lifetime of frugality, collecting, repurposing, and junking—leaving his family with a legacy in his shed for which only he knows the true value. Who knows how many pounds of scrap metal, empty cans, and mounds of other uselessness his family will soon discover? His family will remember him as a man’s man. He was the type of person who would choose to repair something over buying new. He valued hard work, honesty, and the value of a man’s word. He always said, “Treat me how you want to be treated.”

Steve purchased his first home in downtown Jordan. It was at this time that he met his soulmate, Barbara Telthoester. They were married on October 26th, 1987, in Las Vegas—the day before the Twins won the World Series! Steve and Barb were blessed with two children, Stephanie Lue and Brandon Steven. Steve held many titles in his life, from son, welder, business owner, mechanic, friend, husband, but his favorite was dad. Steve loved to spend quality time with his children and was always there for them, whether he was happy about it or not. To his children, he was loving—tough but fair. He made sure to instill his values in them as well as the importance of their education. When the kids were young (Brandon was 4, but ready for speed), Steve bought them Go Karts. Shortly after, the extended family all bought them, and many races ensued. The Hubers’ house became the place where all gathered to race, grill, work on multiple derby cars, or just simply hang out. He enjoyed having his kids, nieces, nephews and all their friends close by. Later in life Steve was fortunate enough to reconnect with his first-born child Nicole. He was thrilled to have her and her family in his life. He was the rock for his wife Barb and prioritized being there for her at all times. He would tell people she was the smartest, most loving woman he had ever met.

Steve earned a new title as his children got older; by becoming a Papa. He loved spoiling his grandkids, Lincoln, Luella, and Olivia. The best part of his day was picking Lincoln up from his school, taking him to get treats and then spending afternoons together. Steve was a frequent customer of Luella’s beauty shop, allowing her to brush and style his hair and apply make-up liberally. He couldn’t sit down without Luella and or Olivia crawling on his lap to share (steal) his snacks. Coloring and building towers were often in the cards.

Steve was a contradiction – an enigmatic man who always had to have the last word, and he loved to be right. He dreamt of winning the lottery his whole life and each of us dreamt up exactly how we’d spend his winnings for him! Sadly, each time he told us he won; the winnings were never quite large enough to share.

Steve enjoyed being behind the wheel of any motor (from a very young age – driving his minibike across multiple cities without telling his parents), toying around in his classic cars, captaining his boat, driving snowmobiles and four-wheelers, working in the bobcat, or simply driving his prized Snapper cutting grass. Steve had countless adventures outdoors. He loved being outside taking care of his country home, chasing Lincoln up and down the driveway in his Power Wheels, maintaining the landscaping, or plowing the driveway—all performed while wearing his trademark bucket hat. His hands were rarely still as there was always something to work on or fix.

Steve was passionate about horse racing (betting on the ponies). He loved football (he had a mostly hate relationship with the Vikings), Bob Seger (who he had bragging rights on seeing over a dozen times), Walker Texas Ranger, playing cribbage (he was a shark), chocolate turtles, Clancy’s pizza, watching Nascar and Miller Lite, but not necessarily all in that order.

Steve was a jack-of-all-trades, working in a variety of careers—he spent time as a mechanic, welder, landscaper, in construction, and trucking. More recently, Steve spent the last 13 years with the Minnesota Renaissance Festival working as the site manager. Steve loved the festival, but his greatest joy was working with Stephanie and being able to be there with her every day. His wide skill set made him the perfect choice for the job. He was handy, knew how to weld, drive tractors, and had a great work ethic. He enjoyed the people and truly will be irreplaceable.

Steve was easy to talk to and even easier to love. Steve & Robbie were heading out to the garage one day and Robbie stopped him and said, “I’d like to ask your permission…” and he cut Robbie off and said of course but it’s up to her. To Steve, Robbie was already part of the family. He will surely miss hearing about the latest ways in which Stephanie was driving Robbie up the wall. Steve truly was a people person—he loved spending time with his family and friends.

When Steve wasn’t working, he stayed busy helping his family members with any small projects around the house. It may not turn out exactly as planned, but he always got it fixed! He also spent time restoring a 1969 Camaro. When he needed to relax, Steve always found his way to a body of water. It could be Fish Lake, the ocean, or his personal hot tub—it didn’t matter to him. Being out on the boat was one of his happy places.

Hardworking, fierce and charming, Steve will be greatly missed by his wife of 35 years, Barb; children, Stephanie (Robbie) Whipps, Brandon Hubers, and Nicole (Steve) Fox-Peterson; grandchildren, Lincoln, Luella, and Olivia Whipps, Briony, Bennett, and Lainey Peterson; Father-in-law, Bob Fossen, sisters, Nancy Hubers, Judy (Pat) Douville, and Amy (Tim) Teigen; sisters-in-laws, Julie Berg, Jodi (Randy) Schnaus, Kathy Zweber; brothers-in-laws, Wade (Sue) Telthoester, Keith (Michelle) Telthoester, Kurt (Pam) Fossen, Robbie Fossen; and countless other loving nieces, nephews, relatives, and dear friends. He is proceeded in death by his parents, Harold, and Luella Hubers; and mother-in-law, Anita Fossen.

Steve left us much too soon but left an incredible mark on everyone he met. He will be deeply and forever missed.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 15, 2023, from 4-7 PM at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, 104 1st St W, Jordan. A Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, February 16, 2023, at 11 AM at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 313 2nd St E, Jordan, with visitation one hour prior at church. Father Neil Bakker will preside. Everybody has a Steve story, and we’d love to hear them all! We invite everyone to Clancy’s following Mass for lunch and the sharing of memories. Steve will be laid to rest at a private family burial.

Gone but never forgotten.

 
Jonathan Brandtner