Steven D. Dubbert, Cawker City
February 15, 1948 - October 17, 2023
Steven D. Dubbert, 75, Cawker City, KS, transitioned from his earthly life, peacefully on the morning of October 17, 2023, while recuperating at the Spalding Acute Rehabilitation Center, Aurora, CO, after previously undergoing open-heart surgery at The Medical Center of Aurora, Aurora, CO. Steve was born on February 15, 1948, to Gerald Carl and Doralyn Ann (Gasper) Dubbert in Beloit, Kansas.
Steve grew up on a farm west of Cawker City near Oak Creek. He attended St. Theresa’s Parochial School and Cawker City High School, graduating in 1966. He attended Fort Hays State University, and then began an amazing life of travel adventures and work experiences.
Through his 20s, Steve was employed in a variety of work disciplines, including the manufacturing sector while in Kansas and ultimately seeking adventures throughout the United States including harvesting peas in Maine, and fishing for crab and salmon in Alaska. His common mode of travel at that time involved hitchhiking from place to place across the United States and throughout northern Europe. During his travels, he loved visiting local and historical sites, music festivals, all while staying at youth encampments/hostels along the way. He was a true adventurer!
Beginning in his 30s, Steve decided to make Colorado his home, including the cities of Loveland, Lakewood, Wheatridge, and Aspen. He thoroughly embraced a clean living lifestyle as many Coloradans do…of holistic healing and Eastern philosophy medicine and supplementation – something that he studied and practiced until his death. He loved snow skiing, hiking, ballroom dancing, playing his guitar/country music, attending flea markets/thrift shops, reading, and the mountains! Steve appeared quiet and reserved, but he thoroughly enjoyed meeting new people and engaging in conversation, thus landing him in the profession of transporting travelers between airports and ski resorts across Colorado, as well as managing several apartment units during the majority of his working life.
Steve called Colorado his home until 2010 when a serious infection required an extensive back surgery. As a toddler, Steve had incurred 3rd degree burns to his back and neck which caused pain and chronic wounds throughout his life. This surgery was life-changing. He returned to Kansas where his mother, Doralyn, opened her home to him and cared for him as he recovered. After his recovery, he continued to live with her in their rural home, helping to maintain the property and to care for her with the daily chores of living until her passing in 2020.
He loved fishing, gardening, following politics, history, travel, watching the Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos football, working on his vehicles, small building projects, and weekly outings to visit family. Steve continued to reside at his residence until a twist of fate required that he be airlifted from the Hays Medical Center, Hays, KS, to Colorado for the recent open-heart procedure. This was the first time he had returned to Colorado since his departure in 2010.
Steve’s “Celebration of Life” Mass will be held on May 25, 2024, at Sts. Peter and Paul’s Catholic Church in Cawker City at 10:00 a.m.with a luncheon immediately following at the Parish Hall. The inurnment of his ashes will be held in a private service at the St. Boniface Cemetery, Tipton, KS. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of A Better Place Funeral Service, Denver, CO.
Steve was preceded in death by his father, Gerald (2000), his mother, Doralyn (2020) and his younger brother, Rodney (2022). He is survived by his sisters, Debby Loy (Wally), Barnard, KS; Darla Fuertges, Hays, KS; Carolyn McDaneld (Kenny), Wellington; a sister-in-law, Renee Dubbert, Johnstown, CO; and his nieces and nephews and their families.