STEFAN (STEVE) DENEKA

Condolences & Memories (5 entries)

• There are family members that we all encounter that touch our lives more than others and mine was my uncle Steve. Not only was he my most accurate connection to my family history and my personal storyteller of my Father and Mothers past. He and I also had our own stories and history. In my late teens and early 20’s I had the freedom of being able to come out in the fall to hunt with Steve and my cousins while Dad was away for work. I remember many nights sleeping in the loft at the farm waiting with anticipation for what would always prove to be a fun week of hunting and storytelling telling from Uncle Steve, Oli, Grant and anyone else who would join us for that week. One night before bed I remember having a great laugh with Uncle Steve when he made the absolute worst macaroni and cheese in history. I watched him boil the macaroni and before he put the cheese in, he washed the noodles under cold water. Now, I’m no chef, but I thought that was odd. He then put some milk in, and butter…. INTO THE COLD NOODLES… And then put the powdered cheese and attempted to mixed it up. He had an odd look on his face and said and looked at me and said, “this looks a lot different than what Rhonda made for me the other day”. He came to the realization it looked odd because it’s probably too cold so….. he put it all in the microwave…… for 5 MINUTES. He took it out of the microwave and, the plastic bowl was warped from the heat. He attempted to mix up what was in the bowl and looked at me again and said “Still doesn’t look like what Rhonda made”. He put this orange lump of stuff in two bowls and we both tried to eat it. We both looked at each other and we began to laugh and of course he laughed with noodles in his mouth and well, I won’t share any details but suffice to say, there was a need for paper towels and “clean up in Ailse 3” was announced. We pushed the bowls to the middle of the table and we settled for toasted honey sandwiches and had a few laughs talking till after midnight about everything and anything. Even though we’re we’re both exhausted, neither of us wanted it to stop. But, it did. Not all was lost though. The next morning we woke up, wiped the sleep out of our eyes, had some coffee, and headed out into the dark chilly morning in search of an epic afternoon story to tell. Alas…. We Didn’t find any….. But we came back and had an epic breakfast of uncured bacon and eggs with toast and honey and he again started to regale me with stories of Family and things he did as a child, a teen, a single adult and a parent. There was a magic to him. He could paint a picture for you with his storytelling telling that made you feel like you were there. With that kind of storytelling talents, it made my fondest memory of him that much more memorable. It was deer hunting season 1999 when Steve, myself and dad, who was already ill and weakened from his initial bout with cancer, went hunting together. Funny thing, from bright and early in the morning till supper time we actually never hunted that day. Other than breakfast, we just drove around in a brand new, rented, red 1999 dodge Durango and drove the countryside north of the farm and north of Riverton and visited places neither of them had seen in decades. Including the bacon and egg breakfast and having them both regale me with memories of things they did together, things they did separately and memories of things they did in their youth, put a smile on all our faces that I’ll never forget. I know that day was impactful for uncle Steve and dad because for years after, Steve would tell the story about how we drove into the worst places that no vehicle should have ever gone with this red Durango. I’ll cherish that memory and all the other ones from the time I was a child and all the way up till the last time Steve and I hugged. And, I can take solace in the fact that my Kelly, Jaiden and Julia had the pleasure of meeting him, and, even for a brief time got to see that smile on his face when we asked him to tell us about the family. It goes without saying, but I will miss him. My heart’s in a million pieces right now, but each one of those pieces holds a memory of uncle Steve, my father, my mother, and all my cousins who are here mourning the loss of him. I’ll put the pieces back together and continue to share those memories with my family. I know I’ll carry a little piece of him with me while I’m still on the green side of the grass and I know he does too. Now, Uncle Steve and Dad can once again enjoy those conversations together while they keep the angles awake at night with both their belly laughs. Uncle Steve, you’ve been a good, kind, and loyal family man who treated me like a son, and you've made a real difference in my life. You’re legacy will be of laughter and love. I will always treasure our time together, the laughs and the memories that helped me form who I am today. I will think on you with fond memories, warm feelings, and you will forever hold a special place in my heart. Since “good bye” is forever, I would prefer to say … Love you more and Bye… for now. - Posted by: Dwayne Deneka (Nephew ) on: May 14, 2022

• Our deepest condolences to the Deneka families. - Posted by: Gordon Klym (Acquaintances) on: May 13, 2022

• My sincere condolences to all the family. I stayed at the Deneka home many times as his daughter Rhonda and I were friends. I remember him always buying us chocolate bars! I am unable to attend the funeral as I will be away but my thoughts will be with you all. Shelly Burak - Posted by: Rachelle Burak (Friend) on: May 12, 2022

• We send our sincere condolences to the Deneka Families. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. - Posted by: Jeff and Peggy Yarema (Acquaintance ) on: May 11, 2022

• So sorry that Steve is no longer here to love you all; Steve was a kind neighbour to my husband who was at APCH. - Posted by: Norma (Sigurdson) Cone (APCH widow) on: May 11, 2022