Steven James Burnham

January 24, 1952 ~ December 31, 2021
Steven James Burnham was born in Hastings, Nebraska on January 24, 1952. He was born to Paul Warren and Doris Mae Burnham and was one of 4 children. After graduating from Hasting High School Steve attended Trade School to train as an electrician and also studied at Southern Nazarene University. During his career he worked as a switch operator for the railroad, a delivery driver and hand bindery for graphic printing companies and in group homes with adults with special needs. He spent many summers in Ohio working as a youth camp counselor.
Steve enjoyed studying the Word of God, playing games, especially canasta, collecting coins (which his sister often “borrowed” to buy candy), and in his younger days, rappelling. He also liked collecting antiquities and family heirlooms. He could always be counted on to lend a helping hand and was often found working on a friend’s car or putting those electrician skills to work helping family and friends. He was a great brother to his sisters and uncle to his nieces and nephews. We can still hear his great elephant impression. He loved working with kids and from what we have been told, impacted the lives of many he had the opportunity to know. He did have a mischievous streak though, once putting goldfish in a neighbor’s gas tank (in his youth) and rocking the amusement park rides to scare his nephews. And who remembers the incident on the Alpine slide? If he was a cat, he used up his nine lives long ago.
Steve passed away on December 31, 2021, and although we will miss him, we are comforted knowing that he has been welcomed home by the Lord that he so faithfully loved and served. He is survived by his sisters Deborah and Denise, brother-in-law Fred, nieces and nephews Amber, Brooke, Mark, Jeremy, Kevin and Alex, and great nieces Isabella, Sophia and Elora.
I remember "Bernie" as a fun -loving young man who was totally devoted to God but always ready for fun and pranks when the young adults got together. The games of Uno that were played were fun "battles to the bitter end". My thoughts and prayers are with you all of you as you walk the path of grief. Love and hugs.
I met Steve through Grace Church of the Nazarene and Crossroads of the Rockies Compassionate Ministries. He joined the volunteer teams in our S.A.Y. Yes Center for Youth Development and Whiz Kids Tutoring Programs. There wasn't a more caring and dedicated friend to be found as he poured his life out in serving our Lord Jesus Christ! Having been occasionally part of the table game circles, he was found to be a fierce competitor! You'll be missed dear friend. See you on the other side!
I was there for the Alpine slide incident and it was funny. I was one of those many kiddos who's lives he impacted. He was a wonderful, living, caring, and giving person. The most selfless person I ever met and I am glad to have been able to have been apart of his life. He was a great friend and my memories with him I'll forever cherish. He helped make my childhood great. Thank you Mr. Steve
Deborah, Denise and family,
We were all so saddened to hear of Steves passing. We understand the loss of a sibling is so painful, the loss of one more branch of the family tree. We lost our Scott almost 17 years ago.
It seems not that long ago that Steve was in Hastings visiting family. It was always good to see him. My fondest memories are of family reunions at the park near our house. We had so much fun.
Gods blessings to you all as you mourn this loss and your family adjusts to life without Steve.
Terry, Maribeth, Todd, Melody, Lisa, David, Renae and Joey Burnham
I only recently learned about Steve's passing. So many great memories with him. Motorcycle trips during the summer in high school years. Camping trips. And almost every year he would come to Hastings to visit, or I would travel out to Colorado. He led me to Christ. Too many good memories to even list here, and this year I was expecting him in Hastings during the summer. I called and I just figured his phone number had changed. He will be greatly missed. My condolences to the family.