Stephen W. Ehrecke

Stephen W Ehrecke, 65, passed away peacefully on the evening of Friday April 4, 2025, at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics, surrounded by his loving family. A Visitation will be held on Friday, April 11, 2025, from 4:00 – 7:00 PM at Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, Davenport. A Celebration of Life service will be held for Stephen on May 10, 2025, at the Blue Grass Community Center from 2:00 – 6:00 PM.

Stephen was born in Davenport, Iowa on September 28, 1959, to Kenneth L. and Ella M. (Proske) Ehrecke. He graduated from North Scott High School in 1978. Stephen grew up farming and after high school continued to farm, worked in construction and then built a career as a heavy equipment operator eventually owning his own business and equipment. He married the love of his life, Julie Puck, on August 4, 1983 at Saint Anthony’s Catholic Church in Davenport, Iowa, and she blessed him with a daughter and a son.

Stephen was known for his hard work ethic, which saw him through his life and lives on in his children, his son-in-law and so many others. It was common for Steve to work all week and then work all weekend with his brother, his family or operating his own equipment. His family and close friends regarded him as a man of many hats who could operate anything from a team of horses to any piece of equipment. In his early years, Stephen showed cattle and drove teams of horses for all kinds of events. Stephen held a great love for animals, machinery, tractors and music. Stephen brought the life to any gathering and put a smile on so many faces. In his free time Stephen roamed the 13 acres he and Julie live on to care for the trees and create new trails through their forest for his grandchildren to explore. In his later years, he became a candy connoisseur and shared his love for chocolates with his grandchildren every chance he was given. Above all he treasured his wife and his family.

Those left to honor Stephen’s memory include his loving wife Julie; his daughter Danielle (Dustin) Waters of Ankeny, IA; his son Vaughn (Jordan) Ehrecke, of Dixon, IA; his grandchildren Olivia Waters, Zane Waters, Cael Ehrecke, and Piper Ehrecke; his siblings Frank (Lori) Ehrecke of Davenport, IA, Christine Green of Long Grove, IA, Kathy VanMaanen of Viola, IL, Anne (Mike) Hunter of East Moline, IL, and Beth Ehrecke of Davenport, IA; his parents-in-law Melvin and Joanne Puck of Dixon, IA; his siblings-in-law Gail (Mitch) Marshall of Lowden, IA, Lori (Dave) Imming of Blue Grass, IA, and Jill Puck of Blue Grass, IA; his many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews; as well as his partner in crime, Jaxx.

Stephen was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Ella Ehrecke, as well as his brothers-in-law, John VanMaanen and Jim Green.

Stephen Ehrecke took pride in having the opportunity to be an organ donor upon his passing. The Iowa Donor Network donated his eyes to two individuals on the national transplant waiting list, giving them the gift of seeing the world. 

Memorials may be made to the family for an education fund.