He attended a one room K-8 school until 8th grade then he attended North Platte High School. As a child he worked on his father’s ranch that was founded by his great grandfather Alexander England where he also rode horses, and enjoyed the outdoors. As a high school student athlete he played football and ran track. He was one of the faster boys on the team.
He attended the University of Nebraska – Lincoln in 1965 to study Animal Science on East Campus pledging FarmHouse Fraternity meeting friends he would remain in contact with for the rest of his life. After graduation Steve served in the US Air Force and deployed to Vietnam. After serving one year abroad he moved to Cheyenne, Wyoming and while serving there attended the University of Northern Colorado where he earned his Masters of Business Administration.
Upon receiving his MBA he moved to Lincoln, Nebraska. He worked for the Department of Economic Development and the National Bank of Commerce as a Farm & Ranch Manager. While in Lincoln he met and married Jeanine Muenchau. They eventually settled in Kearney, Nebraska and enjoyed a 50 year marriage. Their lives included sons Jon and Daniel to whom he was a devoted father.
In 1983 Steve founded Investment Property Exchange (IPEX) a client based real estate brokerage that focuses on farms, ranches and investment properties. His appraisal business grew to be one of the largest commercial farm and ranch appraisal businesses serving central Nebraska.
Steve loved to be involved and was a long time member of the Kearney and Lincoln Rotary Clubs. He was a member of the Realtor’s Land Institute where he was served as National President in 1994. In 1992, he discovered the Society of Exchange Counselors (SEC), a national invitation only real estate group where he met numerous friends and business partners. He enjoyed his SEC meetings and the creative transactions that resulted from his attendance. He served on numerous committees and served as President in 1997.
Steve was actively involved in his sons’ sporting activities, coaching soccer and baseball. He helped organize indoor soccer tournaments and created the Kearney Knights baseball program in 1996. During this time his Chevy Suburban was full of his sons and their teammates traveling to ball games or tournaments across Nebraska.
Steve was proud of his Nebraska heritage and ranching background. He loved his country and was proud of his military service. He loved cheering for his Huskers and enjoyed traveling with Jeanine to visit new places or visit their sons and their grandkids. He loved FarmHouse (FH) and served on the Nebraska Chapter’s Board twice. He created the FH alumni mentorship program and assisted in raising the funds for the Nebraska chapter to build a new fraternity house.
Steve is survived by his wife Jeanine, son Jon (Hilary) England son Daniel (Brittany) England along with six grandchildren: Ella, Charlotte, Lauren, Alexander, Anniston, and Asher England.
In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to the following organizations that were important to Steve:
Funeral Service: 10:30 am Thursday, April 4, 2024, Roper and Sons South Chapel, 3950 Hohensee Drive.
Visitation: Wednesday April 3, 2024, 5-7pm. Roper and Sons South Chapel, 3950 Hohensee Drive.