Steven James Einsel

Steve Einsel, 68, of Wichita, Kansas, passed away on June 14, 2016 in Wichita, Kansas.  He was born to Ellis Eugene and Mary Ina (Knoles) Einsel on August 21, 1947 in Scottsbluff.  

His first job was a paper carrier for the Scottsbluff Star Herald.  He played the trombone with the SHS marching band and graduated from high school in 1965.  After high school he attended the University of Nebraska, then attended and graduated from Chadron State College in 1969.  

He married Judy White in 1970 and started his teaching career and family in Pine Ridge, South Dakota.  He and his family moved to Liberal, Kansas in 1973 where he taught for seven years.  The family moved to Derby, Kansas in 1980 where he taught an additional 23 years; a total of 33 years for his career.

Steve loved his students and spent his life dedicated to DECA.  He and his students won many state and national awards over the years. Even after his retirement, he continued to be very active in state and national DECA competitions and also continued to judge events.  He was most recently awarded the DECA outstanding service award for 50 years of service to DECA.

He loved the Nebraska Cornhuskers and was very active in the Kansas Cornhuskers Club, recently serving as treasurer.  Steve was a member of the Derby Chamber of Commerce and the Derby Lions Club.  Most recently, he and his partner Ken ran a successful business – “Steve’s Jams and Jellies”.

Steve is survived by Ken Smith; his mom Mary Ina Einsel; daughters Melissa (Jason) White, Kym (Neil) Fries and Judy White; sisters Janet Wilson and Debe (Terry) Thompson; 6 grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.  He was preceded in death by many family members including his dad Ellis Einsel; sister Polly Einsel; nephew Larry Wilson Jr.; niece Melodee Crews; and nephew Fernando Wilson.

Funeral services will be held at 10 AM on Wednesday, June 22, 2016 at Dugan-Kramer Funeral Chapel in Scottsbluff.  Burial will follow at West Lawn Cemetery in Gering. Visitation will be from 1-7 PM on Tuesday, June 21st at Dugan-Kramer Funeral chapel.  Tributes of sympathy may be left at www.dugankramer.com.