Steven J. Rothenberger Obituary

Name: Memorial service
Start: 2025-07-25T16:00:00
End: 2025-07-25T16:00:00
Location: First Presbyterian Church

It is always difficult saying goodbye to someone we love and cherish. Family and friends must say goodbye to their beloved Steven J. Rothenberger of Kearney, Nebraska, who passed away at the age of 77, on July 4, 2025. You can send your sympathy in the guestbook provided and share it with the family.

As we bid farewell to this luminous soul, let his loved ones carry forward the torch of his memory, illuminating the path ahead with the warmth of his love and the brilliance of his spirit. Though Steven may journey beyond the horizon of our sight, his essence remains woven into the very fabric of our being — a guiding light in the darkness, a beacon of hope in the night.

He was predeceased by: his parents, Milton E. Rothenberger and Kathryne W. Rothenberger. He is survived by: his wife Judy Rothenberger of Kearney; his daughter Jennifer Dennis (Benjamin) of Aurora; his granddaughters, Catherine and Claire; and his siblings, Jana Kehn (Jim) of Gering and Doug Rothenberger of Melbeta. He is also survived by two nieces and one nephew; and numerous cousins.

A memorial service was held on Friday, July 25th 2025 at 11:00 AM at the First Presbyterian Church (4511 6th Ave, Kearney, NE 68845).

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Prairie Plains Resource Institute or First Presbyterian Church of Kearney, where he was a long-time member.

Funeral arrangement under the care of
Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl

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July 25

Memorial service

First Presbyterian Church
4511 6th Ave, Kearney, NE 68845

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July 7, 2025

George Bryan wrote a sympathy message

“Steve and I shared a lot of adventures during our school years and our early college days. He is responsible for my love of cats. We founded our first band together. Lots of good memories. He earned his doctorate and became a well-respected educator and published author, loyal husband and proud father. But I will always best remember him as my running mate and partner who played a fine guitar and rocked and rolled as well as anyone ever has.”

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