Steven Daneke

September 7, 1952 - February 10, 2022

Steven Daneke, 69, passed away on February 10, 2022, from complications of the COVID-19 virus, surrounded by his loving family at Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka, Kansas. His caregivers at the hospital treated both Steve and his family with an amazing level of compassion. Steve was born in Topeka at Stormont Vail Hospital on September 7, 1952, the son of Philip and Hazel Hiltibrand Daneke. They preceded him in death. Steve’s childhood was filled with good memories with his family and neighborhood friends. His older brother, John, and many cousins in Corning, enjoyed great adventures outdoors. Steve was a Boy Scout and loved being in nature and animals. Steve had an enduring love of music. He learned to play the accordion and the drums and entertained dreams of starting a garage rock band. In the end, he retained a lifelong love of rock and roll and other genres. He honored this love through his life by attending concerts of bands and artists both legendary and local. A Topekan his entire life, Steve graduated from Topeka West High School in 1970, with advanced vocational training in metal working. More than mechanically proficient, he was the go-to-guy for any and all car problems! Steve enlisted in the Kansas Army National Guard and as a Reserve in the Army on November 11, 1971, as a Specialist Four. He received the Sharpshooter badge and bar during his six-year enlistment. Steve was discharged honorably on November 10, 1977. Also in 1970, he began a 35-year career with Hallmark Cards, Inc. Topeka plant and married his high school sweetheart and lifelong friend, Donna Cunningham White. There were two children born of this union, Nickie and Travis Daneke. Steve and Donna later divorced. Steve was a dedicated and loving father. He enjoyed taking his children on annual vacations, camping trips, water skiing and Sunday afternoon road trips in hope of finding the next great hole in the wall diner. Steve passed on to them his love of nature, animals and music. Most importantly, he exhibited to them and later to his grandchildren, an inspiring gentle disposition, marked by patience, kindness, humor and strength. Steve loved to say, “I’m a lover not a fighter,” and it was so true. He loved people from all walks of life and curiosity and care make him friends with anyone he encountered, however brief. In September of 1990, Steve met his best friend and wife, Joyce Buening Daneke, while both were members of the Topeka Jaycees. It was a dance under a full moon at the Knights of Columbus Pavilion. For Steve, the encounter was love at first sight. With charm, honesty and gentlemanly behavior, he won her over. They were married on January 19, 1991. Their care and love for each other only strengthened during their 31-year marriage. Joyce was his partner in travel across land and sea. Their first of many road trips was to Wyoming. Sometimes they would let the weather dictate which state they would travel too next. Their first cruise was their honeymoon to the Caribbean. They cruised years later to Alaska and Canada. Steve won the third cruise through the Kansas Lottery and added Cozumel and Key West to the places they visited. When not traveling, they enjoyed many shared activities, including bowling in the Sundowners League where Steve’s high score was 289. His parents were the original bowlers in the league and Steve and Joyce replaced them. It should be noted, they shared a fierce dedication to the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals. His brother, John, always reminded him when Kansas University men’s basketball games were on so they could go over the game the next day on one of their nearly daily phone calls. Steve and Joyce also enjoyed going to casinos. They had a regular card night every Friday for 25 years with their friends Joyce Hedrick and Frank Kosiba. Steve is survived by his loving wife, Joyce, who brought a quality of care to his life that extended it and made it meaningful. She simply brought the best out of him, a virtue for which he was forever grateful. He is also survived by his children, Nickie Daneke (Michael Black) and Travis Daneke (Debbie); brother, John Daneke (Kathy Ultican); his adoring grandchildren, Maddie, Jude, Cooper and Kenzie; as well as many friends and family. Visitation will be at noon on Saturday, February 19, 2022, at Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Road, Topeka KS 66614, where memorial service will start at 1 p.m. Masks are required. Steve was a huge fan of the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals. Please feel free to wear your favorite team attire. Per Steve’s request, cremation is planned. Inurnment will be at a later date in Mount Hope Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society or the Topeka Zoo and sent in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be sent online to www.kevinbrennanfamily.com.