Stephen Fehrenbach

Stephen Paul Fehrenbach passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving wife and children, Friday, May 4, 2012. Steve was born in Ness City, Kansas, June 29, 1928. He grew up on a farm, attended high school in Ness City and then business college in Hutchinson, KS. He moved to Garden City where he worked for the State Highway Department and met the love of his life, Betty, on a blind date. He joined the Army during the Korean War and attended boot camp at Fort Riley, Kansas. He was later stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, where he attended The Airborne School and became a paratrooper making several jumps, a difficult feat as he was afraid of heights. Nothing was ever too scary for our Dad.
Steve knew it was love pretty quickly and married Betty two years later on February 14, 1953 in Wichita, KS. He began working for Safeway, Inc. in 1953 in the bakery division. A year later they started a family. The family eventually grew to nine children and Safeway took them to several locations including Walnut Creek, California, Salt Lake City, Utah and finally Little Rock, Arkansas in 1971. At that time Steve was the Plant Manager for Safeway Bakery in downtown Little Rock. Much to his children's delight he was always bringing home sweet treats and when we visited him at work we always left with a paper baker's hat as a souvenir. During his career he also served on the board of the Members Service Federal Credit Union. He received many awards for his service to Safeway, from which he retired in 1989.
Steve was a member of Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church where seven of his children attended grade school. He and Betty have always been a part of the school and church, devoting much of his time and many talents. He was always the first to be called on if a pew or baptismal needed repairs. He was a Eucharistic Minister, participated in Perpetual Adoration, served as President of the Parish Council, counted money for Sunday collections and never missed a Sunday or Holy Day of Obligation until his recent illness. He was a devoted 4th Degree Member of the Knights of Columbus Council No. 812. He never said no to the church or anyone else needing help, especially when it came to cars. Rarely was a Fehrenbach car found at the mechanic.
Steve could fix anything and was always sought out by his kids for advice. He always provided for his family and loved nothing more than being with them. Christmas time was complete chaos, as well as most family get-togethers and he wouldn't have had it any other way. He was always a kid at heart, still getting excited about the first snowfall and never missed a chance to play with his grandkids. His sense of humor always brought smiles and he loved to play jokes on people. Steve, a loving and caring husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and friend will be missed more than we can ever express.
He was preceded in death by his father, Steven Fehrenbach, his mother, Ella Fehrenbach and three brothers, Melvin, Otto, and Bernie. He leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife of 59 years and best friend, Betty; nine adoring children, Blane (Judy), Danny (Nita), Karen(Mike), Ronnie, Bonnie (Tony), and Dennis (Cynthia) all of Little Rock; Kenny (Lisa) of Augusta, GA, Roberta (Ellen) of Panama City, FL, and Chris (Chuck) of New Orleans, LA. His grandchildren, Josh (Lori), Jon, Anna (Bryan), Courtney, David, Kimberly (Ethan), Jake, Adrienne, Sarah, Zack, Brooke, Sydney and Reece, along with great-grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Ethan and Caspin, will also miss their beloved Grampa/Papa. His many nieces and nephews who have always had a special bond with their Uncle Steve will definitely miss him.
The family can also never thank Dr. Brad Baltz enough for the care and comfort he provided to Dad, Mom, and all the kids during this difficult time. We have never known a more caring doctor and staff who quickly obtained our complete trust. We would also like to thank the nurses and care providers on the Oncology Unit of St. Vincent Infirmary.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Msgr. John F. O'Donnell at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church on Tuesday, May 8 at 10:00 a.m., followed by interment with Military Honors at Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be this evening, Monday, beginning at 6:00 p.m. followed by the Rosary at 7:00 at Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct. (NW corner of I-630 and Barrow Rd.). Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or to Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church.
Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, (501)224-2200. Mr. Fehrenbach's online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.