Steven "Steve" Craig Westerhoff

Steven “Steve” Craig Westerhoff, 73, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, formerly of Kankakee, Illinois, passed away on Friday, July 17, 2026, surrounded by his family at home in hospice care, after battling Pancreatic Carcinoma. A Memorial Service will be held at 6 p.m. on Friday, August 7, 2026, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Marion, Iowa, with a visitation from 4 to 6 p.m.

Steve was born on May 20, 1953, in Kankakee, the son of Galaurd and Genevieve (Woodrich) Westerhoff. He grew up in Kankakee, graduated from Kankakee Eastridge High School, then went on to attend the University of Montana, where he earned his bachelor's degree in forestry. On July 7, 2015, Steve married Denise Sotelo in Cedar Rapids.

Steve started working for Hometown Restyling in 1986, where he was the first employee, and proudly worked there until retiring in January 2025. Starting out, he was able to precisely measure windows and doors, then install them, working his way up to management. Steve loved woodworking and was very gifted. He had the ability to build anything, fix anything, and create anything he put his mind to. Steve worked many hours perfecting his craft. He was a perfectionist at measurements, building, and wood crafting. He took his time and made everything absolute. Steve loved spending time with his daughters. They went to many wrestling shows and enjoyed attending the Rock and Mineral Show every year. He took them hiking in the woods every chance he had. Steve loved animals and had many dogs, cats, and even a wolf dog during his lifetime.

Steve loved traveling! Together, Steve and Denise visited many states, national parks, where they camped early on and enjoyed the outdoors. Steve was a master gardener. He created a beautiful backyard paradise for his family to enjoy every summer. He would spend many hours watering, planting, and pulling weeds. It is a work of art to behold! It became a beautiful, peaceful place to sit, rest, and take in God’s beauty. Steve will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Steve is survived and lovingly remembered by his wife, Denise Westerhoff; two daughters, Amanda Westerhoff (Zach Griffin) and Rachel Westerhoff, both of Cedar Rapids; two stepchildren, Keri (Shane) Block of Marion, and Brock (Elaine) Sotelo of Etna, Wyoming; step-grandchildren, Riley Ellis, Dylan Ellis, Jace Sotelo, Colt (Izzi) Sotelo, and Vienna (Taylor) Hiller; one great-granddaughter, Scotlyn; mother, Gen Westerhoff of Marion; brother, Jeff (Jamie) Westerhoff of Seattle, Washington; sister-in-law, Vicki Westerhoff of St. Anne, Illinois; nieces and nephew, Angela Westerhoff, Jon Westerhoff, and Jessica Westerhoff; and two great-nieces, Kesey Westerhoff and Abigail Wharton.

He was preceded in death by his father, Galaurd Westerhoff; brother, Larry Westerhoff; and nephew and his wife, Jake and Amy Westerhoff.

Memorials in Steve’s memory may be directed to the Stead Family Children’s Hospital in Iowa City, Iowa.