Obituary of Steve Krumdieck

Steve, our son, was a brother, an uncle, a nephew, a cousin and a friend to all of those he touched in his walk through life. Steve passed away suddenly and unexpectedly of cardiac arrest in his home he shared with his sweetheart, Joney Mitchell, on August 12, 2013 at the age of 59.Steve's life began on September 25, 1953, in Sacred Heart Hospital. He loved everything about Eugene from the Ducks' sports to the sweet smell of flowers at Hendricks Park. His school years were spent at Willagillespie, Cal Young, and Sheldon. Steve was not a tall or muscular boy in school but he was a dynamite wrestler. He had tons of charisma and was constantly surrounded by many friends. In school, he was elected to the position of Historian.As his friends and siblings went off to college, began a career, got married or had children, Steve had to take a different approach to life. He was diagnosed with Schizophrenia at 19 when the stigma of mental illness was even worse that it is today. His parents, Oscar and Ginny Krumdieck, were a constant source of love and support. Steve admired his mother's advocacy as she served on many local boards as well as the national board for the NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) organization.Steve's mental illness did not define him. He had a million watt smile and a contagious laugh that was all his own. Steve was proud to own his manufactured home for the past 30 years. He loved Joney. He cooked their meals, washed their clothes, and cleaned their home. He knew all of the local bus schedules so they could go shopping, to the theaters, and to eat out at some of their favorite restaurants. He took daily walks around his neighborhood and waved to everyone he saw. He loved listening to music and the Beatles were his mainstay. Steve enjoyed many phone conversations with family and friends. He kept in contact with childhood friends even when they lived far away. Steve thoroughly enjoyed the twice a month lunch dates he had with his dad. He loved Jesus Christ.Steve's death leaves a void in so many lives. But we all know he is finally free from the pain and suffering of mental illness. He is truly at peace.Steve is survived by his parents, girlfriend, and siblings Larry (Mary Jo) Krumdieck of Turner, OR; Cathy (David) Freedman of Scottsdale, AZ; Marlene (Len) VanCurler of Waldport, OR; Julie (Scott) McColl of Eugene. His nephews are Eric VanCurler and Brett McColl and his niece is Erin VanCurler.Steve's ashes will be interred at West Lawn Memorial Park in Eugene. A Celebration of Life will be held later.If you would like to honor Steve's memory, you may give a donation to NAMI Lane County at www.justgive.org or you may mail your donation to NAMI Lane County at 7 Centennial Loop Suite A, Eugene, OR, 97401.Arrangements entrusted to Musgrove Family Mortuary. Please access the obituary and you are invited to sign the guestbook at musgroves.com