Steven E. Geist
Nov. 5, 1952 - Nov. 19, 2022
Steven E. Geist passed away on November 19, 2022, at MercyOne Medical Center in downtown Des Moines, Iowa, in the presence of his wife, Linda Darling, following a long illness.
Steve was born on November 5, 1952, at the U.S. Army Hospital in Ft. Benning, Georgia, to Harold “Tom” Eugene Geist and Bonnie Marie Jackson Geist. The family later moved to Nebraska, where Steve’s love of all things “Big Red” began, and never faded. They lived in several towns in Nebraska while his father attended dental school, but never far from the farm of Steve’s beloved grandparents, Marvin and Marie Jackson, which was located in Naponee.
After his father graduated dental school, he moved the family to Phoenix, Arizona, where Steve went on to graduate from Washington High School in 1970. Following high school, Steve continued his education at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln, where he graduated with a B.S. in Chemistry and then received his DDS from the College of Dentistry in 1980. Just like his father, Steve relocated to Phoenix after dental school, where he practiced for 30 years. He later practiced dentistry in Hays, Kansas and Lincoln, Kansas. He retired on June 30, 2021, after 41 years.
During his short retirement, Steve enjoyed playing golf at Echo Valley Country Club in Norwalk, Iowa. He was passionate about football--he played in high school, coached kids in Kansas, and always had a game on TV. Following the red theme, Steve was a big fan of the Nebraska Cornhuskers and Kansas City Chiefs. He was a tri-athlete in his younger years. He was fond of cooking, watching cooking shows, and trying new recipes. In his later years he enjoyed traveling the U.S. with his wife. He particularly enjoyed a trip they took to Ireland, Scotland, and London, and always loved the beach as well. While living in Lucas, Kansas, being a part of the local fire department was high on his list of rewarding experiences.
Steve was a very intelligent, quiet, warm, and strong man who loved all his children and grandchildren. He was very proud of them.
Steve is survived by his wife, Linda Darling, whom he married on May 21, 2021 in Des Moines, Iowa. They made their home in West Des Moines, Iowa. Steve is also survived by daughters, Tayah Geist (Sarah) and Kelsey Geist; son, Nick Geist; grandchildren, Skylar and Sullivan Geist; stepsons, Paul, Tyler and Tra Barrientes; and two brothers, Doug and Gregg Geist; niece and nephew, Heather Darling and Mike Leahey and their children Ciaran, Declan and Lauren as well as other nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents Harold “Tom” Geist and Bonnie Jackson Geist.
A celebration of life will be held in the Chapel at Lutheran Church of Hope in West Des Moines on Monday, November 28 at 11:00 a.m. Steve’s family will begin greeting attendees at 10:00 a.m. A luncheon will be served in the Bridge immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Lutheran Church of Hope, The Food Bank of Iowa, and/or the Lucas, Kansas Fire Department. Online condolences are welcome at www.IlesCares.com.
The family would like to thank Dr. Jan Franko and his entire surgical team, as well as the many wonderful nurses at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines, for the special care they provided Steve over the course of the last year. His entire family will always be grateful.
Godspeed Steve. We are all going to miss you.
Arrangements by Iles Westover Chapel. To send flowers or a remembrance gift to the family of Steve Geist, please visit https://iles-westover- chapel.tributestore.com