Provided photo Well-known local musician, chef, and volunteer Kenneth Steiner is fondly remembered by friends and family after his death on New Year’s Day.

By VANESSA DIETZ and GARRETT NEESE

vdietz@mininggazette.com

gneese@mininggazette.com

HOUGHTON — All musicians are welcome to join others in the lobby of the Rozsa Center for one more jam session in memory of Kenneth Steiner, who died on New Year’s Day.

Kenneth Steiner was a well-known local musician, chef, and volunteer who lived in Houghton. The event will be part of an open visitation at 5:30 p.m. Friday in the lobby of the Rozsa Center on Michigan Tech’scampus. His service will follow at 7 p.m. The 66-year old died Sunday at UP Health System – Marquette where he had been a patient for four days.

Steiner’s daughter, Amber Willow Silberg Steiner, traveled from North Dakota for Christmas and to bring her dad to the hospital, but had returned home afterward, thinking he’d be discharged on New Year’s Day. Instead, her dad died unexpectedly.

“He died peacefully,” Amber said.

“She said he’d been in severe pain with a bad foot, and was unable to enjoy many of the things he loved doing.”

“He suffered a lot in the last few years. It was hard to see him go through that. He was an active, athletic person.”

The community enjoyed the opportunity to give back at a fundraiser to help defray Steiner’s medical expenses a few months ago.

“He died knowing his community really loved him,” Amber said. “He felt it. It was a really beautiful way to die.”

She said her dad, an avid Chicoago sports fan, got the best birthday present ever.

“His Chicago Cubs won the World Series on his birthday,” Amber said. “It was his last birthday.”

Steiner traveled and sang with the Michigan Tech concert choir and spent many nights jamming on his harmonica with different musicians in the area, according to his obituary.

Jared Anderson, director of the choir, described Steiner as a “passionate musician.”

“You could tell whenever he sang that he sang with his whole heart,” he said. “You could tell that music was a really important part of his way of life, and an important part of his community.”

Anderson agreed with a Facebook post he had seen describing Steiner as “the George Bailey of the Keweenaw.” Steiner was consistent in “quitely doing good,” he said.

“I think that those that knew him really well probably had an idea of the many ways he served others in the community,” he said. “Just with his passing I’ve bcome more and more aware of the ways in which he’s touched so many people’s lives.”

Cynthia Drake, one of Steiner’s many friends, said despite his generosity, he had lived humbly. Steiner worked as a cook at Funkey’s Karma Kafe and was a founding member of the Keweenaw Co-op that grew out of the restaurant.

“He was an amazing chef,” Drake said.

Steiner volunteered with Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly since the Hancock chapter began in 1982. In 35 years, Steiner only missed one holiday dinner, said Cathy Kass-Aten, executive director of Hancock’s chapter.

“He had to be a guest for the first time,” Amber said, of their most recent Christmas dinner with Little Brothers.

Steiner cooked for the holiday meals, as well as monthly birthday parties Little Brothers held for many years, Mothers Day parties and other events.

“He was always willing to give, and share his cooking talents,” Kass-Aten said. “He just loved Little Brothers, and we’re going to miss him so much.”

Kass-Aten remembered the speeches Steiner would give at Little Brothers events, during which he would discuss the meaning of Little Brothers.

“It was so heartwarming to hear his passion for the organization,” she said. “That was how he lived life.”

Steiner worked at Mont Ripley and cooked at the Consumers Advocate, Harbor Haus, Pilgrim River Steak House, Ripley Ski Hill, Roy’s Bakery, along with various other area restaurants. In addition, he reffed college volleyball, umpired baseball and played in the local softball leagues for many years, and did bird counts for the local Audubon Society.

“Anything he had a passion for – he really gave it,” Drake said.

Steiner was also an avid runner who was proud to have finished the Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth, Minnesota.

Steiner was born on November 3, 1950, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a son of the late Carl and Lois (Koch) Steiner. He was raised in Chicago and Detroit, and lived in the Copper Country since 1972.

Surviving are his daughter, Amber Silberg-Steiner of Velva, North Dakota, seven brothers and sisters and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy the family suggests that memorials be given to Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly in Kenneth Steiner’s memory.

Houghton’s Memorial Chapel & Plowe Funeral Service is assisting the family. To view Ken’s obituary or to send condolences to the family please visit www.memorialchapel.net.