Stephen Carter Nienaber, long time Newburgh resident, passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, July 7. He was born in Evansville, Indiana May 4th, 1941 to the late, Harris & Lois (Carter) Nienaber and recounted with great joy his childhood and teenage years in Newburgh. He was a life-guard at Pfafflin Lake while a senior at Newburgh High school before attending Purdue University where he studied Marketing Psychology and Journalism. At Purdue he was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon, and the DBs and graduated 1963.
In his twenties, he was a member of the Illinois Air National Guard serving as navigator, and told stories to his children about navigating by the stars and thrilling close-calls over the icy waters of the North Atlantic.
Steve was a brilliant ad-man in Chicago working for agency giants like Leo Burnett and J. Walter Thompson before starting his own agency in Evansville. Over the course of three decades he worked with countless accounts and employed dozens of creatives as the owner and principal at Nienaber Marketing Group. He shared his talents with many non-profits over the years, too. He was responsible for bringing Habitat for Humanity to Warrick County, served with Evansville Right to Life, and shaped fundraising for both local and international Scouting communities. As a long-time member of Newburgh Presbyterian Church, he led youth trips, taught Sunday School, served as Elder and Deacon and joyfully headed the newsletter for 20 years.
He was a devoted and faithful man of Christ. He was involved in Tres Dias and made his Cursillo in 1985. He started every morning with a devotion and shared journaling with his wife, Vicki. He met with friends weekly in a prayer group for the past 25 years and recently attended St. John the Baptist Parish in Newburgh.
Steve was a lover of Purdue sports and Chicago leagues, especially the Cubs. He lived to see the Cubs win the World Series. He was a photographer, a writer and an athlete, playing high school basketball for the Newburgh Wildcats, a marathoner and a cyclist, biking thousands of miles into his seventies. Steve served on the Town Council of Newburgh, was an adjunct professor at University of Southern Indiana and attended the YMCA in downtown Evansville with religious devotion.
He loved art, photography, model trains, gardening, and sports cars, recently joining Sir Brit Car Club. In retirement he continued to serve his community as a volunteer with Meals on Wheels and taking his poodles to nursing homes on visits to friends and strangers, alike.
More important than any other accomplishment or accolade, is Steve’s family. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Vicki Parsons Nienaber, his sister Sarah Jane Nienaber, and five children; August Nienaber (Mary), Samuel Nienaber (Heather), Joseph Nienaber (Annie), Claire Bosma (Scott) and Leigh Kolley (Matt). His was exceptionally proud of his grandchildren, who loved him as their “Poppa”: Corey, Garrett, Dara, Shana, Grant, William, Samuel, Alexander, Audrey, Eleanor, Grace, Henry, Simon, Forrest. He leaves behind many cousins, nieces and nephews. He leaves a precious legacy through his loved ones of humor, adventure, devotion and faith.
A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, July 12, 2021 at Titzer Family Funeral Homes, Simpson Chapel 510 W. Jennings St., Newburgh, IN 47630 (812) 853-8314. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery.
A visitation will be held from 3:00-7:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 11, 2021 and on Monday 9 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the YMCA of Southwestern Indianain Memory of Stephen Nienaber.
Sympathy wishes may be expressed at www.titzerfuneralhomes.com.
Arrangements are in the care of Titzer Family Funeral Homes.
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