Steven Sachtjen
April 1, 1953 ~ December 28, 2024
Steven Sachtjen, age 71, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away peacefully on December 28, 2024, surrounded by those who loved him. He was a devoted father, grandfather, and friend.
Born on April 1, 1953, in Madison, Wisconsin, Steve grew up with an inquisitive spirit and a love for all things mechanical. He spent much of his time at his grandparent's farm, learning from family members. His passion for tinkering led him to a lifelong career at Collins Aerospace, where he proudly worked for 46 years on fixing radios. Steve has many fond memories of people he has worked with there over the years. Steve loved to share his wisdom, particularly when it came to electronics and math. Whether he was explaining the inner workings of a circuit or guiding his children and grandchildren through a math problem, he took great pride in teaching and could always be counted on to offer to draw you a picture to better illustrate the concept.
A proud fan of the Green Bay Packers, Sundays during football season were often spent cheering on his beloved team, eating pizza with family by his side. Steve was also an avid fisherman, finding solace on the water, whether it was casting a line from his boat on the Coralville Reservoir or simply enjoying the beauty and peacefulness of nature. He had many fond memories fishing with his father in law Kermit.
Steve's greatest joy in life was his family. He enjoyed taking his family on vacations around the US and never missed an opportunity to tour an aerospace museum or battlefield. He cherished every moment spent with his children and grandchildren, reading them books, encouraging their dreams, listening to their stories, and trying to get them to play the quiet game. He was happiest when surrounded by his loved ones.
Steven is survived by his children, Jenny (Dustin) VansCoy, Alicia (Josh) Gaule, and Samantha Schutte; grandchildren, Micah, Millie, Kailani, Monroe, and Madison; significant other, Debbie Schutte; and former wife, Diane O'Neil-Sachtjen.
Steven was preceded in death by his parents and cat Ozzie.
A visitation will be held on January 2, 2025 from 4-6:00pm at Stewart-Baxter Funeral Home in Cedar Rapids. A funeral service will be held on January 3, 2025, at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids. In lieu of flowers, please direct memorials to the family so they can donate to organizations that meant a lot to Steven.
Steve's legacy of love, curiosity, and kindness will live on in the hearts of all who knew him. He will be deeply missed but fondly remembered.
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We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services – Cedar Rapids
Deb, so sorry to hear of your loss. Steve was such a good guy and a pleasure to work with at Rockwell Collins through the years. Hugs to you and your family.
So sorry to hear this. We met at work and because of it we found a house to rent a few blocks from work. We would walk to work some of the mornings. He loved his Cognac, Monday Night Football and as he was a Packer fan and me a Viking fan there were words but all in fun. We would golf at Twin Pines. Rest in Peace my friend.
So many memories from our days in Madison WI. Uncle Merlyn and Aunt Berdella always made you welcomed in their home! We cousins had it made! So sorry for your loss!
Sue and John Braun
So sorry to hear about Steve. He was always a favorite of Aunt Norma and she sure enjoyed visits from his family. So many fond memories of holidays with the Sachtjens! First time I ever heard Frank Zappa was in Steve’s bedroom! RIP cousin Steve.
…Dan
I met Steven at Rockwell. Although I had very little inter action with him he was always a very pleasant person. I knew when our techs called him in they were stumped and they would request his presence to help resolve an issue. He would come in with his “ floral” shirts like he was retired or on vacation. Our techs would lovingly call him graybeard so much that I wasn’t even sure what his real name was. He seemed to shine with their joking banter. I could always tell they liked having him around. I’m sure will be missed.
You will be remembered with love!
Our sincerest condolences to Steve’s family. Steve and I both graduated from WSE 3 months apart. When he moved to Cedar Rapids he moved in to an apartment 3 doors from mine. We spent most evenings together listening to music, trap shooting or just target practicing at the Issac Walton league. He stood up as best man at Marj and my wedding. Once I moved on from Rockwell/Collins we didn’t see each other as much but when we did it was as if we had never been apart. I will truly miss him.
Dave and Marj Hanson
In early 1996, when I was only 8 years old, I moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, from Miami, Florida, into a house across the street from the Sachtjen family. At the time, it was only because my family hadn’t lived in Miami long enough to dispose of old winterwear that my siblings and I had proper coats, and we were woefully unprepared for the blizzard of that year’s January. However, thanks to Steve and his snowblower, we didn’t need to be; shortly after my family and I moved in, my father met Steve while he graciously ran his snowblower along our sidewalk and driveway (like I said, we came from Miami; we were in no way prepared for two feet of snow accumulation).
Since then, my older sister became fast friends with Steve’s oldest daughter, my younger sister became fast friends with his youngest daughter, and my father became good friends with Steve, who worked alongside him for Collins Aerospace (then Rockwell Collins). And while I didn’t know him well, he demonstrated his generosity and grace in many ways- including lending my father an auger for the first (and only) time he, my brother and I ever tried ice fishing.
Rest well, Steve; it was nice to learn we had a mutual fondness for Green Bay, Wisconsin (or at least, the Packers); though you will not return to me, I have a strong suspicion that I will go to you someday.