Stephen L. Huck, Jr.

Stephen L. Huck, Jr., 77, Lawrence passed away Monday, February 19, 2018 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. Stephen was born July 22, 1940 in Evanston, Illinois, the son of Stephen Leo Huck, Sr. and Ruth (Donahue) Huck.

He is survived by his life partner of 41 years, Mary Ann Rasnak; his daughter, Kathleen; his son, Stephen Huck III; brothers Jerry (Rose) and Bob (Debbie); sisters Ellen (Ron), Jan (Tom), and Paula (Pat); twenty nieces and nephews; several grandnieces and grandnephews, and one great grandniece.

Stephen served in the U. S. Army before beginning a career in agriculture. He completed his bachelor’s degree at age 57 in agricultural systems technology at Iowa State University in 1997. University outreach and exchange programs to republics of the former Soviet Union invited participation from local agricultural business persons. He was eager to be involved. Over three years, Stephen traveled to Russia, Ukraine, Latvia, Estonia and Belarus to assist with development of modern agricultural cooperatives. He also hosted visitors from Russia, Ukraine, Latvia, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic as they observed successful American coop business practices.

Stephen was an Eagle Scout, and a member of the Order of the Arrow. He enjoyed the outdoors, camping in quiet places, traveling the United States National Parks and Forests, visiting the Kennedy Space Center and witnessing two space shuttle launches, smoking ribs and briskets at home, Sunday breakfast out, having a purring cat in his lap, drives in the country, and being in nature in all seasons.

Plans for a family celebration of life in the spring are pending.

Memorial Contributions may be made in his name to The National Park Foundation, Disabled American Veterans, or the Wounded Warriors Project, and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary.