Steven Calvin DeHart

Steven Calvin DeHart, 62, of Wasilla, passed away on May 28, 2014, at the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle, Washington, with his wife Connie by his side.

Steve was born on Dec. 31, 1951, to Calvin and Gabriele DeHart in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Steve’s family moved to Alaska in 1959 to homestead in Houston. He was an imaginative child, who loved to read and dreamed of living a grand life. Steve graduated from Palmer High School in 1971, joined the Navy and married his sweetheart, Connie, after basic training.

In 1972 Steve and Connie welcomed their first daughter while stationed in Oak Harbor, Washington. After serving four years he was honorably discharged and Steve moved his little family back home to Alaska.

Steve was working at Cottle’s Fuel Station in Wasilla when he encountered an Alaska State Trooper who piqued his interest in becoming one himself. He applied, was accepted, and traveled to Sitka for training. In 1978, Steve worked as a Patrol/GIU/JS Officer in Fairbanks. While in Fairbanks, Steve and Connie welcomed two more daughters to their family.

In 1981 he moved his family south to work at the Talkeetna Post as a Patrol Officer alongside Roger Coffey, who became his lifelong best friend. Steven was well-loved in the Talkeetna community, where he was known for his kindness, sense of justice, integrity and good humor.

Steve and Connie’s only son was born in 1985. In early 1989, Steven moved his family to Wasilla where he went to work in the Anchorage CIB/Major Crimes Unit. In 1993 he moved to the Soldotna Post, where he served four years as the head of the General Investigative Unit. Steve returned to Anchorage in 1997 and retired as Sergeant in 1999 after 22 years of service to Alaska communities.

After a brief time of respite, Steve went to work in 2000 as a Court Security Officer for the Federal Court House in Anchorage, where he worked at the time of his death.

Steve was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle and friend. He enjoyed a good cup of coffee, four-wheeling, snow-machining, a good song, golfing, dancing, a good movie, camping, spending any time with family and friends, and talking...talking... talking. Steve was passionate about many things, ranging from world history to politics, and retained his childhood love of reading. He loved his job, loved to serve others and always gave the best of himself. Steve had a great love for his country and his patriotism was infectious.

We, his family, believe Steven was one of the most humble, giving people we’ve known. He loved the Lord and, especially in his final days, wanted to give Him all credit for his life. We think he embodied perfectly the Alaska State Troopers motto: Loyalty, Integrity and Courage. He will be missed greatly by his family and friends. He truly lived a grand life.

Steven is survived by his wife, Connie, daughters and sons-in-law Tammy and Micheal Moore, Renee and David Petty, Jennifer and Robert House, son and daughter-in-law Steven Jr and Jayme DeHart and his 10 grandchildren; Tristyn, MaKenzie, MaKayla, Bobby, Taylor, Mason, Isaiah, Joshua, Emily and Elly May; his mother Gabriele DeHart, his sisters Linda Graham and Barbara Sullivan as well as numerous brother/sister-in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins and great nieces/nephews.

A memorial service is at 2 p.m., June 7, at Church on the Rock, 3571 Machen Rd., in Wasilla. There will also be a live streaming of the service at churchontherockak.org/livestream. In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations be made to either The Transplant House, online at transplanthouse.org, or mail to P.O. Box 85218, Seattle WA 98145-1218 or to Victims for Justice, online at victimsforjustice.net, or by mail to 1057 W. Fireweed Ln., Suite 101, Anchorage, AK 99503.

Valley Funeral Home, Wasilla Chapel, is caring for arrangements.