Steve Berger (77) of Leawood, Kansas, with his family and love by his side, returned home to the Lord, on October 9th, 2025, after a long and brave battle with Lewy Body Dementia and Parkinson’s. The unconditional care and concern he received from his nurses and caretakers during the last several years of his life was a true blessing.
Steve was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1948 and attended Broad Ripple High School where he was a standout athlete playing varsity football, running track, and competing on the wrestling team. After he graduated, Steve attended Ball State University (BSU) where he played football and was a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity. He graduated from BSU with a degree in Business Administration & Economics. Steve married his high school and college sweetheart, and they started a family soon after. He shared 55 years of marriage with his adored wife Dee and raised three wonderful sons.
He had a successful business career and eventually started his own firm with several offices throughout the United States. He worked both in the capital markets and in real estate development. His firm developed and structured numerous real estate transactions across the country. From L.A. to New York, his efforts helped create jobs and add value to the commercial landscape of the communities he touched. More importantly, as a father of three boys, he made time to coach various sports, inspired a strong work ethic, and took his family on countless fun and exciting trips over the years. There was always an adventure ahead with him.
Steve became an avid skier and biker, falling in love with Lake Tahoe where he and his family as well as their friends enjoyed so many wonderful memories at their home on Heavenly Mountain. That was his oasis for over two decades, creating stories for his family that will last a lifetime. He was quite a character with the perfect storm of charisma, charm, humor, and a larger-than-life personality that made him hard to forget. He was generous with his time, talent, and treasure, both personally and professionally. Steve was also a huge fan of Indiana Hoosiers Basketball and loved the Kansas City Chiefs. He certainly lived life to the fullest for his time given.
Steve is preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Judy, his son, Grant, and his sister, Debbie. He is survived by his devoted wife Dee of 55 years, his two sons, Bradley (wife Beth), and Dan, as well as his four grandchildren Kyle, Jake, Luke and Ava. He is also survived by his sister Karen and numerous nieces and nephews.
We will miss his funny jokes, his pranks & antics and his sense of adventure … our family is happy in faith that he is now at peace and back home in Heaven.