Steven Mark Todd

Steven Mark Todd, age 67, passed away peacefully at the Buffett Cancer Center in Omaha, NE on May 9, 2024, after a short but courageous battle with cholangiocarcinoma. He was surrounded by his children, family, and friends. Steve was a Valentine baby born on February 14, 1957 in Omaha, NE to Charley and Trudy (Roesler) Todd. He lived in Omaha before moving to Murdock, Nebraska, graduating from Murdock High in 1975. He was a multi-sport athlete and homecoming king. One peer said that he had so many medals on his letterman’s jacket they clanged together when he walked through the halls. After graduating, he attended the University of Nebraska - Lincoln, and earned his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 1979. While attending UNL, he met the love of his life, Debbie; he later told his father that he fell in love with her because she was “always smiling.” The couple married on June 14th, 1980. They made their home in Illinois, where Steve worked for International Harvester. After a few years, they became parents, but they missed the “Good Life” and returned to Nebraska, where Steve spent many years working for Vickers in Omaha. They expanded their family, and eventually moved to Kearney. There, Steve worked for Baldwin Filters (later Clarcor and Parker Hannifin). He and Debbie returned to Omaha in 2021 due to Debbie’s diagnosis of advanced esophageal cancer. Steve was her devoted caretaker through her final months. After losing the love of his life on Christmas Day 2021, Steve continued to work remotely, finally retiring in December 2022. Steve was an amazing man, and a hero to many, including his children. He was devoted and loyal, and showed his love for his wife and family in unique ways. Having an engineer’s personality, he loved Excel Spreadsheets, calculated numbers and dates frequently, and preferred to draw up plans, whether in designing some aspect of his house or simply making plans to live a full life. He practiced the motto to “measure twice, and cut once” even if cutting once might include an injury to a finger or other limb. He was rarely seen without one of his many Yeti mugs, often misplacing it or his stylus for his phone. Steve was also a die-hard sports fan. A favorite pastime of his was attending Husker football and basketball games, with an occasional volleyball game. During the height of Husker football success, it wasn’t gameday without hearing the Tunnel Walk on the stereo speakers in his house. He also cheered for the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears, the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals, and the Boston Celtics. Steve loved his wife, and they were married for over 40 years. He loved his children and his grandchildren. He loved the mountains of Colorado (and John Denver). He loved Coca-Cola, orange jelly fruit slices, and Lemon Meringue Pie Jello Cups. Debbie’s Toll House chocolate chip cookies, her apple pie with extra cinnamon, and the infamous Todd Brownies were all favorites. His laugh was distinct, and his favorite sitcoms frequently brought it out including “The Office'' and “Seinfeld.” He had a passion to leave the world better than he found it, as he worried about what the Earth would look like for future generations, especially for his grandchildren. He invested in battery-operated power tools, recycled everything he could, and planted many trees on his new property in Omaha. He always had goals and plans, such as renovating his home, traveling with his wife and family, and simply beating cancer. Many of these plans were left unfinished. His devotion to his wife, even in death, was unmatched, as he toiled to keep her graveside beautiful. He painstakingly planned their shared stone, laid sod, planted flowers, mowed, and designed a system he put in his truck bed to easily water the grass and flowers. Steve’s devotion was simply a part of who he was. Steve was preceded in death by the love of his life, Debbie, along with his father, mother, and older brother, Mike Todd. He is survived by his three children, Laura Cushing, Bryan Todd (Addi Schurrer), and Lisa Williams (Raymond), his grandchildren, Carter and Layla Cushing, and Sophie Williams; his sisters, Sue Schuelke (Steve) and Mary Barta (Bryan); four granddogs, numerous nieces, nephews, and other family and friends. Memorials are suggested to Prospect Hill Cemetery for Tornado Relief Efforts or to the family for determination at a later time.

Steven Mark Todd

February 14, 1957 - May 9, 2024