Steven “Steve” Nitschke, age 81, of Jamestown, ND, formerly of Valley City, ND, died Thursday, October 6th at Eventide Care Center in Jamestown surrounded by his loving family.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM Tuesday, October 11th at Faith Lutheran Church in Valley City. Visitation will be held on Monday, October 10th from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Faith Lutheran Church. A prayer service will be held at 7:00 PM Monday evening at the church. Interment will be in the North Dakota Veteran’s Cemetery, Mandan, ND. An online guestbook and livestream link for Steve’s service will be available at www.lerudmathias.com

Steven Roger Nitschke, the son of Reinhold and Helga (Bergeson) Nitschke, was born December 31, 1940 in Jamestown, ND. Steve grew up and attended school in Jamestown. At the age of 17, he enlisted in the North Dakota National Guard for a short time, before enlisting in the US Navy. After his discharge from the Navy, Steve enlisted in the US Airforce where he
served his country for 20 years. Steve married Ruth Nomeland on April 17, 1959 in Sanborn, ND. Ruth passed away in 1981. God blessed the couple with three daughters, Sheridan “Sheri”, Suzette and Shelley. Steve married Karen Gunness on October 17, 1987 in Valley City. Steve gained three more daughters, Shelley, Stacey and Kristi. He deeply loved God, his Country, his family and his Faith Lutheran Church family where Steve served as a confirmation mentor.

Steve is survived by his wife Karen, Jamestown, ND; his children, Sheridan “Sheri (Dean) Neubauer, Suzette (Kerry) Trenda, Shelley (Tom) Green, Shelley (Keith) Thomas, Stacey (Kelly) Leslie and Kristi Spanswick; 12 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; his mother-in- law, Anita (Ann) Scholz, who he lovingly called “Mom”; his extended family and numerous
friends.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Ruth, a sister Diane Everett and brothers-in-law Leonard, Dan, Tim and Jerry.