Steve Wood

Norwalk, Iowa

Steve, 70, was born September 4, 1945 in Waterloo, Iowa. He died on Thursday, February 25, 2016 at Trinity Center at Luther Park, Des Moines, Iowa.

Steve was born to Leonard and Marlys (Sanford) Wood, grew up in Waterloo, Iowa and graduated from Waterloo West High School. Following high school, Steve studied at Grandview College and Drake University in Des Moines. Steve worked most of his life in healthcare administration and particularly focused on Medicare while employed at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Iowa. He later moved on to manage non-delegated review at the Iowa Foundation for Medical Care, was the Iowa Medicaid Project Manager under the contract with Unisys, and provided consulting services to physician offices primarily in northeast Iowa and southwestern Wisconsin.

Steve married Sally Tyrrell on September 4, 1976 and they moved to Ankeny, Iowa. In 1999 Sally accepted a new position and they relocated to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. During their two years in PA, they thoroughly enjoyed exploring the Mid-Atlantic area, trips to New York City and making many new friends. While in PA, Steve retired from the healthcare industry and purchased a cigar store on West Chocolate Avenue in Hershey, PA. Becoming a sole proprietor perfectly fit his quiet but independent nature. An unexpected opportunity for Sally in 2000 resulted in a move to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Steve was happy to move back to the Midwest and closer to his roots in Iowa. The move to Wisconsin marked years of increasingly active volunteer service through his church and in the community. In 2007, Sally had one more job change that took them to Madison, Wisconsin. Steve was recognized for his volunteer activities to support homeless families, food pantry, and church outreach. Sally retired in 2013 and it was time for them to head home to Iowa.

Steve is survived by his wife, Sally; his son, Adam (Andrea Leonard); granddaughter, Addyson and grandson, Tyler of Norwalk Iowa; his daughter, Tracy (Ron Frederick); and granddaughters, Gretchen and Maegan and grandson, Mason of Auburn, Pennsylvania. Steve is also survived by brothers-and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Shannon.

Visitation for Steve will be held at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, 1020 - 24th Street, West Des Moines, Iowa on Friday, March 4 from noon to 2:00 p.m. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:00 p.m. at the church, immediately following the visitation. Steve will be interred in the columbarium at Saint Timothy’s Episcopal Church, West Des Moines, Iowa at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the family to be designated toward causes close to Steve’s heart.