Steven Scott Kinder was born in Wichita, Kansas on May 23, 1970 to Charles and Francis Kinder and passed away peacefully on January 22, 2026 in Wichita, Kansas. He is survived by his loving wife of 37 years Lorilyn (Funk), his wonderful three children: Chantel (Josh), Levi, Jordan (Abby): brother, James (Terri) and family; Sister, Tamara (Steve Riedl) and family; brother, Kavin (Terri) and family.

Steve was also blessed with a second family: his "other mom," Judy Huelskamp, and his sisters; Renee, Rachelle, Jenny, and Vicki. He is further survived by another brother, Jeff Spencer, whom he loved dearly.

Early Life
Steve grew up in Wichita until age seven, when he was placed in a loving foster home in Andale, Kansas. He often shared that although he longed to be with his mother and brother, his time in foster care taught him the value of hard work and showed him "what a family should look like."

While living on the farm, he joined 4‑H and took great pride in caring for and showing his pig, earning awards for his dedication. He loved going to the fair, seeing the animals, and enjoying time away from home.

As a child, Steve lost his left big toe in an accident. Doctors told him he would struggle with balance and never run fast—but Steve refused to accept that. He proved them wrong through sheer determination. He became highly athletic, spending countless hours practicing basketball. He installed a hoop in the backyard and worked tirelessly until he could dunk. He studied the game deeply and could talk about it endlessly. Basketball became his lifelong passion.

Found Family and Young Adulthood
As a teenager, Steve ran away from his foster home and spent time with his brother James. During this period, he met Jeff Spencer, who became one of his closest friends. Jeff asked his mother to open their home to Steve, and soon Steve was living with the Spencer family. He often said they were a special family who taught him true family values.

At 18, the state informed him he was now on his own. He moved between family members until his oldest brother invited him to Washington to live with their father. Steve agreed, hoping to get to know his dad—never imagining he would meet his soulmate there.

Love and Family
In Washington, Steve worked for Rent‑A‑Center delivering furniture. He met Lorilyn at the gas station where she worked. He would wait in the parking lot after work just to offer her a ride home. On her last day at that job, she insisted he come to her house for Thanksgiving dinner. They began dating a week later.

One of the many thoughtful things he did early on was bringing her the largest flower arrangement she had ever seen. Her new boss admired it with her, reading the card aloud—"Thank you for being a friend to me. Steve."—only to discover Steve himself was standing there holding the flowers.

On their first date, he took a picture of her and carried it in his wallet for the next 37 years.

When Steve's father needed the house for holiday guests, Steve moved in with Lorilyn. By February, they were expecting their first child. Steve was overjoyed and told everyone he was going to have a girl. When their daughter was born, he proudly announced it in the delivery room before the doctor could. He glowed with pride and stood a little taller holding his baby girl.

After moving back to Washington, they learned they were expecting again. Steve was thrilled, convinced he would now have a son. During the difficult delivery, he stayed by Lorilyn's side, kissing her and reassuring her. When their son was born, he ran between mother and baby, giving updates with a smile that said everything.

Their third child was born in Washington. At just ten minutes old, the baby lifted his head, looked at Steve, then rested again. The doctor joked he was built for football, but Steve grinned and said, "Nope—basketball."

Steve loved coaching and attending practices. He shared his knowledge generously and was deeply proud of his children's accomplishments.

A Life of Connection
Steve never met a stranger. He could talk to anyone and often did. He proudly told people about his children and how grateful he was that they grew up safe and together. Over the years, he and Lorilyn opened their home to many of their kids' friends. Steve loved mentoring young people and helping them avoid the hardships he had faced.

He had an incredible sense of direction—what his wife called "Mapmind." He knew every road in Wichita and could give multiple routes to any address. Even in Washington, he could find places he had visited only once. He teased Lorilyn lovingly, saying she could "get lost in her own backyard."

Work and Character
Steve worked many jobs but spent most of his career in the appliance industry. He knew appliances inside and out—delivery, sales, and even some service. When he opened Westside Appliance, he built his business on honesty. He believed "honesty is the best image" and that doing things right the first time prevented problems later. He valued customer satisfaction and word‑of‑mouth above all.

Hardship and Resilience
In 2015, life took a painful turn. Steve and Lorilyn lost their business, their home, and temporarily their children. The weight of it deeply affected Steve. He struggled with insomnia and mental health challenges, and at times turned to alcohol for relief. They sought help from many doctors, but answers were slow to come.

In 2021, Steve began to improve. He became a handyman for a property management company and rediscovered his confidence. Working with his hands brought him joy and purpose. He and Lorilyn worked side by side, and Steve always added a little extra touch to each job—"just a little something to make it his."

Illness and Discovery
By mid‑2023, Steve's health began to decline. His stamina faded, his legs and feet swelled, and he became easily winded. After extensive testing and a long hospital stay, he was diagnosed with Stage 4 liver cirrhosis. He was determined to fight, repeating often, "The liver can fix itself, therefore I can fix myself."

In early 2024, a psychologist diagnosed him with PTSD, severe chronic anxiety, and high‑functioning autism. Steve struggled to understand it and feared medication would change who he was. He told Lorilyn, "I cannot lose my thoughts, myself, or who I am."

In December 2025, while watching The Big Bang Theory, Steve turned to Lorilyn and asked, "Am I like Sheldon?" When she gently said yes, he smiled with sudden clarity. It became a shared understanding between them, a new way to connect after 37 years together.

Final Days
The last three years were filled with hospital visits, specialists, and uncertainty. In January 2026, Steve entered the ER in a coma. He awoke and spent six days gradually understanding that his liver was failing. This time allowed his family to say goodbye. On January 22, 2026, Steve's body finally rested, and he went peacefully to be with his Heavenly Father—free from pain and reunited with loved ones who went before him.

Remembering Steve
Steve Kinder was kind, generous, thoughtful, and funny—a man who loved dad jokes, puns, and wordplay. He loved God, his family, and every person he welcomed into his life. His presence, his humor, and his enormous heart will be deeply missed.