In Memory of Steve C. Walsh

Steven Chris Walsh, age 68 of Odebolt, Iowa, took his final fishing trip to heaven on Friday, November 1, 2024.

A Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, November 8, 2024, at the OABCIG Middle School Gymnasium of Odebolt, Iowa. Rev. Ken Miller will officiate. Committal Services will follow in the Odebolt Cemetery of Odebolt, Iowa.

A Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, November 7, 2024, at the OABCIG Middle School Gymnasium of Odebolt, Iowa. 

The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Odebolt, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com  

Steven Chris Walsh, age 68 of Odebolt, Iowa, took his final fishing trip to heaven on Friday, November 1, 2024. Steve was born in his home in Ponca, Nebraska, on May 5, 1956. He was the second child of eight, to parents John “Jack” and Glennalee (Eckert) Walsh. He graduated from Anthon-Oto Community School in 1974. He then went to Morningside College and graduated with an education degree in 1979. 

Steve married his high school sweetheart, Charlotte Parker, on June 21, 1975. They were blessed with four daughters, Laurie, Michelle, Jordan, and Brittany. He always said, “This house is so full of estrogen, even the cat is a girl.” Despite saying this, there was not a day that went by that he didn’t brag about each one of his daughters as he was very proud of all of them. He taught them that hard work will eventually pay off. Steve got his sons after his daughters married. He thought of and treated each of them as his own.

Steve grew up on a farm near Oto, Iowa. He had a love for farming. This was apparent as he worked on many different farms throughout the years in the Anthon, Oto, and Odebolt areas. He grew up milking 10 cows before he would go to school each day. He then went on to work side by side with his father-in-law, Wallace, and did many things around the farm with him, including fixing fence, cattle and hog chores, walking beans and corn, amongst many other chores. In his later years, he enjoyed helping his son-in-law bale hay. Work was his enjoyment and he was never one to be idle. 

Although he loved farming, his true calling was teaching and coaching. He taught and coached in the OA and OA-BCIG districts for 37 years and continued to substitute teach until his passing. He taught middle school social studies and physical education along with many other classes. He served in many different roles during his time teaching. He coached many sports throughout the years including middle school football, wrestling, and boy’s track. He also coached pee-wees through high school baseball. He ventured out and coached his daughters in high school softball for several years, which was quite a change from coaching boys. He always had fond memories of all the kids that he taught and coached and enjoyed visiting with them over the years. 

Aside from teaching, coaching, and farming, Steve had many other hobbies. He was always up for a fishing trip, whether it was for a day or a couple of weeks. He never missed his annual fishing trip to Northern Minnesota. He enjoyed camping with his family, and one of his most prized possessions was his self-made walking stick. He admired Native American culture and burned the “hokahey” war cry on his stick. Steve loved riding his motorcycle with Charlotte. He looked forward to these day trips to explore the countryside. Steve also liked visiting with everybody. He especially liked reminiscing about his childhood memories. He enjoyed going on family vacations with his kids and grandkids. He made each vacation memorable and was always up for a thrill or challenge. Going to Iowa Hawkeye games with family was also a love of Steve’s.

Steve had many interests and hobbies, but his favorite way to spend time was with his grandkids, who referred to him as “Papa”. He loved reading to all of them and will always be remembered for his voice inflection and his spin on traditional stories. His most creative stories and characters included “Grammie Pig” in The Three Little Pigs and “Grammie Troll” in The Three Billy Goats Gruff. He always kept the stories lively and very entertaining. The teacher in him never stopped teaching. He loved looking over the grandkids’ papers and working with them on their reading and other homework. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, and doing yard work with them. He took great pleasure in watching and cheering them on in all their activities.  He also taught them many life lessons. His grandkids could do no wrong in his eyes.

Steve was a member of the Odebolt United Methodist Church and a member of the NEA and OA-BCIG Education Association. 

Steve is survived by his loving wife of nearly 50 years, Charlotte of Odebolt, IA; children Laurie (Jay) Warren of Moville, IA, Michelle (John) Schultz of Odebolt, IA, Jordan (Nick) Haedt of Hiawatha, KS and Brittany (Bryant) Harms of Odebolt, IA; grandchildren Megan Warren, Makayla Warren, Colton Warren, Kiersten Schultz, Heath Schultz, Briley Schultz, Ben Haedt, Forrest Haedt, Oaklyn Harms, and Slone Harms; mother Glennalee Walsh of Anthon, IA;  siblings Mike (Karen) Walsh of Holstein, IA, Randy (Nanci) Walsh of South Sioux City, NE, Nancy Walz of Sioux City, IA, Susan (Scott) Newton of Sioux City, IA and Matt (Michelle) Walsh of Holstein, IA;  mother-in-law Dorothy Parker of Mapleton, IA; sisters-in-law Nancy Seuntjens of Danbury, IA and Carol (Alan) Pierce of Spencer, IA; brothers-in-law Lloyd (Jody) Parker of Anthon, IA and Frank Parker of Bellevue, NE; many nieces, nephews, other extended family members and friends. 

Steve was preceded in death by his father John Walsh; father-in-law Wallace Parker; siblings Kevin and John Walsh; brothers-in-law Marion “Chick” Ashley, Gary “Enier” Seuntjens, and Kyle Walz; nephew Alex Parker; and niece Angela Pierce.