Steven Lee Prekker, 76, beloved husband, father, grandfather and so much more, passed away at home on August 27, 2023, after a ten-week battle with ongoing complications after a stroke.

Born to Gladys Irene (Orlebeke) & Willard Elrich Prekker on February 1, 1947, Steve was an Albuquerque native who graduated from Sandia High School in 1965. Steve spent 4 years at Midland Lutheran College in Fremont, Nebraska taking photographs, singing acapella, and impressing his future wife, Martha Lou Schulz, with his acting prowess. After graduating with a degree in English, he and his bride returned to Albuquerque where they remained together until his death shortly after their 54th wedding anniversary.

With a passion for lifelong learning, Steve considered becoming a high school teacher but ultimately directed his academic passions toward making his daughters' high school essays bleed with red ink. However, the tears they cried at these edits were never as prolific as those they cried when he died.

From operating an Oxberry Animation Camera at Bandelier EFX to bowhunting in the Sandias to working with the object of his obsession at Puerto del Sol Golf Course, Steve remained interested in the world around him despite the physical difficulties that plagued him from a lifetime of living with Type 1 diabetes. His mind continued to be his greatest asset and he enjoyed collecting golf books and memorabilia (as anyone who has ever visited him well knows) and playing chess, particularly with his granddaughter.

His fondest memories centered around traveling to Scotland to play the Old Course at St. Andrews (once he even took his wife!); friends, family, and drink; and despite his daughters' feelings, anything having to do with the apple of his eye, his granddaughter.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents, Gladys and Willard Prekker, and his in-laws, Margaret and Erich Schulz, as well as four cherished dogs–Yeller, Bogie, Freddie, and Dude. He is remembered by all who knew and loved him, including his wife, Martha Lou Prekker; two daughters, Erica Dawn Webb and Veronica Lee Gossett; four grandchildren, Noah Blake Gossett, Parker Corbin Gossett, Cameron Segura Gossett, and Hayleigh Rae Gossett; and two canine companions, Bella and Tyga. His siblings Cheryl Ann Harris and Allen David Prekker (Nell) as well as many other friends and family members remain to cherish his memory and share their favorite stories of Steve.

A special toast and memory sharing will be held at O'Niell's in Nob Hill on September 30 from 4-7 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests those who wish to show their appreciation for Steve's heart donate to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (jdrf.org/donate) or Animal Humane New Mexico (animalhumanenm.org/donate).

Obituary published on Legacy.com by Riverside Funeral Home of Albuquerque on Sep. 5, 2023.