Steve was my older cousin. Even though he was older than I, he included my sister and I in his activities when we visited their family in Quincey. It was a highlight our young lives to be asked to be flower girls at his wedding. When my husband was in Washington attending ROTC camp, Steve and his dear wife Jane invited him over to stay with them, even though they had never met him. He was always cheerful and generous. I have fond memories of receiving his Christmas letters! My dearest memory of Steve is when I called him about my mother's death. He asked how things were going and I shared with him the concern my sister and I had about paying for my mother's funeral since she had no life insurance. Later I talked with the mortuary and learned Steve and Jane had made a sizable payment toward her expenses. When I called Steve to thank him he just said "Sweetheart we just wanted to help you." Thank you Steve for your kindness and gentle ways! We love you!

During the more than fifteen years that I worked for the Department of Fisheries/F&W I knew who Steve Jenks was but didn't know him well. It was only after we both retired did we become friends. I soon grew fond of Steve and came to believe that he was one of the loveliest of men. I have a rather short list of men whom I love and Steve jumped on that list. My fondness for him is exemplified by a Steve sighting one day a few years ago. I was visiting someone at St. Peter Hospital and spotted Steve letting Jane out of his pickup as she was going in to work. I went up to the truck and we had a short chat. When he was ready to leave I wanted to hug Steve but the pickup was very high and I am low to the ground. Luckily he had his arm resting on the open window so I just leaned up and kissed his elbow. The only elbow I've ever kissed or probably ever will...The world will miss you, darling Steve.

Steve was one of the kindest and most generous souls I've had the privilege to call friend. He was my champion and advocate at a terrible time in my life, and I will be forever grateful. Steve had a great sense of humor and I will sorely miss his stories and jokes, and watching our Dawgs and Hawks together. Be at peace dear friend.

When I met Steve in 1980 at the department of fisheries he immediately took me under his wing and invited this former carp biologist from Nebraska to go salmon fishing. I haven't looked back. Steve had the biggest heart of anyone I know and would always make it a point to include everyone. He was extremely intelligent and exemplified what a true fisheries biologist should be. He would take on bad salmon policy and use his intelligence to try and change it in favor of the resource. We have lost a true friend and colleague. RIP good buddy and , no, the N on Nebraska's football stadium does not stand for knowledge.

I knew Steve my whole life I always remember him being quick to laugh and quicker with a smile. We played football together and he made some nice holes for me to carry the football through! It was our love of fishing that made us life long friends. He was the first to lead me into the Enchantments to fish at 8 mile and the snow lakes. Life pulled us in different directions so it was often years between opportunities to wet a line together. Our friendship was such that it was like no time had passed and we just picked up where we left off giving each other a hard time about who was the best fisherman. My last memory of Steve is of a cold, miserable rainy day on the Sol Duc and that huge grin that brightened that dreary day as he posed with a chrome bright steelhead. Steve I know you are where the fish are all trophies and the big ones never get away! Here's to tight lines, big fish and calm waters my friend......(but not too calm because the fishing's better if there is a little riffle.....)

Steve was one of the first people I met when I started working at the Dept. of Fisheries in early 1984. I liked him immediately and could tell that I was in the presence of one of the "good ones." After a few years, his supervisor and I decided to share Steve 50-50 between his Habitat Division duties and new tasks he would assume in the Information and Education Program. Steve's new duties would be to teach youngsters in classrooms across the state about the wonders and importance of salmon and other aquatic species. He excelled in this endeavor and immediately became a beloved member of the I & E "family." He continued to be my treasured friend after I left the Department in mid-1992. I could always count on him for his kindness, gentleness, fantastic sense of humor, joy, superior intelligence and sense of fun (singing Karaoke in Elvis's tradition at my place with Jane singing background). He left me a phone message about 6 weeks ago and I immediately responded but somehow we weren't able to connect to have that "last conversation." I now picture him sporting his "angel wings" and reuniting with Matthew and other loved ones who've gone before telling his wonderful stories and introducing others to the glories of fishing - which will probably be in the form of "catch and release" in his new place. : ) My love and prayers are with his beautiful wife Jane, his daughters, and his young grandchildren as they move forward in this life without their wonderful Steve. I will miss my sweet and long-time friend immensely - until we meet again!

It was my great pleasure to hire Steve for his first fisheries job. Happy days sampling salmon at Westport with him. Sometimes it is hard to find a person who genuinely cares about your success more than their own but Steve was that kind of person. His authentic good will as a positive inoculation against the parts of our world that can lead to cynicism. He was a cherished friend when we shared time in this world and now he is a cherished role model as time carries us into the future.

Jane, we are so very sad about your loss of Steve. Peggy talked about him so fondly. We only met him once, but enjoyed him so much. You are in our thoughts at this time, along with all your loved ones. God bless you and your family, Don and Virginia Swinhart (Peggy's sister)

Dear Jane and Family, I met Steve in 1991 when I moved over to Habitat in the Washington Department of Fisheries. I got to know him through playing cards at lunch, then through conversations about fish and people. Our paths were intertwined over the years, with work, fishing, prayer, Bible study, and social events. Steve is a true friend and I regret not seeing him more frequently in recent years. I will particularly miss his calls to Gayle (Gayle and Gary were evidently next to each other on his phone). I have wonderful memories of Steve's stories, his retirement tributes to our friends, and of fishing with him, Matt and Jane. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you, Gary

Jane, Becky (Taylor & children), Amanda (Matt) and the Weinand clan; Thank you for sharing Steve with so many of us for so many years. I think we became fast friends on the day we met 25 years ago at WDF's Habitat Mgmt office located at 3939 Cleveland Ave. Steve was one the kindest, most gentle and most generous person I have ever known. He always took the time to share a story, tell a joke or pray a prayer or just listen - his ability to give exactly what was needed was uncanny and his gift with people was surely heaven sent. I honestly never heard Steve talk ill of anyone. I will miss my friend, Steve. I will miss the times we laughed, the times we solved the problems of the world, the times he patiently explained what I perceived as stupidity on the football field, the times he cried with me and most of all, the times he prayed with me. There was never any thing too crazy to talk over with Steve. His patience is legendary. Heaven truly has a new angel - if there is a body of water to fish in heaven, we will know exactly whereto find Steve, Matt and all who have gone before. He will look up and say, "Welcome home" and have a wonderful hug and a great story to tell. I look forward to that day! Love, Peggy

I will miss Steve's smile and laughter. He was truly a special guy and I am glad I was able to know him. My deepest sympathy to all the family. I share in your loss. Pretty sure Steve and Matt are catching the big ones in Heaven at the big pond, river or ocean. If not, they are telling stories about the ones that got away...with much love and hugs, D'Ann Kirkland XO

Happy homecoming, Steve. We hope the fishing is great in heaven. 'Til we all meet again. Your old neighbors will miss you. Larry and Mary Boatright

We were fortunate to know Steve over the last several years. He was a wonderful guy. We'll miss his humor and smoked salmon! We love you Steve!

I met Steve when working with Jane many years ago. Over the years we shared much laughter and joy. He will be missed as he joins his son Matt. I am praying for the entire family.

I had the privilege of meeting Steve just one time, and my immediate impression was one of a kind and gentle soul. I felt as though I had known him for years! We sat downs in the Jenks' living, sharing cheese and grapes, and exchanging many entertaining stories. He left a lasting impression on my heart and I know that he is now entertaining many in the Heavens! ❤ Kim Wheatley

Your christmas poems brighten my christmas spirit. Enjoy the presence of our heavenly Father.

Jane, my heart, prayers and thoughts are with you and your family. So sorry for your temporary separation from Steve. Ann V

Goodbye our dear friend. You will be missed greatly by all. We always had such good times together and great conversations. Thanks for teaching me a little about fishing. We will never forget our trip to the San Juan Islands. All of us together and enjoying our friendships. All our love to Jane, the girls, and the rest of the family. Debbie and Jasper