Steven Ray Boenisch entered this world with a bang (not to mention incredible dimples and beautiful red hair) on November 1, 1977, and left the same way on August 15, 2026, with the people he loved surrounding him in his home in Rapid City, South Dakota. Steven loved the rain and it was not surprising at all that before, during and after his passing, Rapid City received a lot of rainfall.

Steven grew up in Midlothian and Tolar, Texas. He was a good kid, very funny, really smart, did well in school and sports, and was loved by everyone who knew him. Without a doubt, he would say that his best years were spent at the Flying X Ranch in Tolar, where he had many adventures and made lifelong friends.

He graduated from Midlothian High School in 1996 and joined the Air Force in 1997, which brought him here to South Dakota and Ellsworth AF Base working as a hydraulics mechanic on the B1B bomber. After leaving the Air Force, he worked in a variety of jobs through the years. Doing landscaping for The Green Team was his absolute favorite.

There was no denying that Steven loved life, loved people, and because of his dad and PaPa, acquired a lifelong passion for fishing. Simply put, Steven was in his element when he was either on a bank or in a boat with a pole in his hand. He also enjoyed hiking, rock climbing, and hunting. Anyone who knew him would quickly say he was an avid outdoorsman. He could speak eloquently about anything regarding nature, and it is not surprising that his love of the Black Hills kept him here.

When Steven was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2018, and doctors told him it was aggressive and didn’t give him much time, leave it to Steven to give them the bird and defiantly battle it for eight years. The treatment was brutal, but he was a stubborn warrior and never gave up.

Two weeks before Steven passed, his only wish was to make it back home to Texas to see “his people”. All he had to do was tell Harmony and she made it happen. It was his last hoorah, and he had friends and family come from all over to give hugs and love and to reminisce about all the memories and adventures that Steven was a part of. He lived his life unapologetically, loved fiercely, laughed often, and left his mark on more people than he probably ever realized. He had a way of making people feel like they belonged, and if you were lucky enough to be one of “his people”, you knew it.

There are many close friends and family anxiously waiting to see him again: the love of his life, Amy Schaller; daughters, Ruby Boenisch, Juniper Boenisch, and Scarlet Schaller; his parents, Larry and Brenda Boenisch; and his “person” and best friend, his sister Harmony Bezpaletz. All of Rapid City. As well as numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins in Texas.

Although his time here was far too short, Steven packed a lot of life into it. He leaves behind stories that will be told for years (some maybe better left unsaid - if you know, you know!), memories that will never fade, and a whole lot of people who will forever miss his laugh, his dimples, even his stubbornness, and that unmistakable Steven way of doing things.

So, until we see you again, Steven – keep a line wet, save us a spot on the boat, and keep an eye on your people. We love you. We miss you. And we’ll see you on the other side.

There will not be a traditional funeral. Family and close friends will have a private celebration of life at a later time.