1948 – 2026

Beloved Father, Grandfather, Master Craftsman & Wanderer

Steven Ray Hunziker passed away peacefully, surrounded by his three children, his partner Susanna Washburn, and his grandson Weylin. When his family arrived in those final days, he did what he had always done — he rose to the occasion. For the first time in days, he got out of bed. There was laughter, because of course there was. Beatles and Bob Marley filled the room, and someone read aloud a newspaper interview about his parents, Erb and Marge — a story the family had returned to repeatedly in his final days. He listened, and he loved it. He left the way he lived: surrounded by the people he chose, with good music playing, and at least one more laugh still left in him.

Steve was born in 1948; in Ames, Iowa; the third of six brothers: Dean, Bob, Steve, Jon, Dave, and Gary; son of Erb and Marge Hunziker, community fixtures and natural entrepreneurs. He grew up playing basketball and working alongside his father in the family construction company, learning early that building things was both a living and a calling.

At the University of Iowa he met Catherine Mann, who would become his wife and the mother of his children. After college they traveled before settling back in Ames, where they started their family: Sam, Will, and Anna; and Steve launched Shelter Construction, his first business.

In the 80s Steve made Colorado his home, founding Hunziker Construction, Inc., running a team of carpenters, including his sons, doing high end custom interior trim. He was a present, proud, and devoted father through it all. Steve’s second wife, Caroline Williams, came into their lives during these years and helped raise his children with love and care that never went unnoticed.

Later in life, Steve met Susanna Washburn in Colorado, and in time the two made their way to Tucson, Arizona, where Suzanna had deep roots and a community that welcomed them both. Her son Josh and grandson Braiden became part of his world there — Braiden lived with Steve for a time and grew especially close to him, a bond that was real, lasting, and one Steve would have wanted named here.

Steve passed his craft, work ethic, and business sense to his children. Sam became a master carpenter, started his own business, and went on to lead WishGarden Herbs, the company Catherine founded. Will became a patent attorney with his own practice. Anna heads up marketing at WishGarden Herbs.

Steve loved to move — Europe, Mexico, Seattle, Rio de Janeiro, Hawaii, Bhutan. He followed Sam to the Big Island, visited Anna in South America, and spent long afternoons on the lanai of his friend Al’s home with a mai tai and nowhere else to be. In Bhutan, a monk told him he would live to be 80. Steve never forgot it. In later years, when someone asked his age, he’d just smile and say “eighty.” He was ready. And when the time came, he was.

He knew his mind, his taste, and exactly who he wanted around him. Stubborn in the best way, funny in a way that snuck up on you, and absolutely committed to being the life of any room he walked into. He loved a root beer float, a mai tai at the Kona Inn, and a good laugh — and he was generous about giving other people the same. His friend Vic in Tucson knew that version of him well. So did everyone who spent more than an hour in his company.

He is survived by his children Sam (married to Hilary, with children Noah, Amalie, and Aidan), Will (whose daughter Alana brought him tremendous joy), and Anna (married to Kevin, with son Weylin); his former wife and the mother of his children, Catherine Hunziker; Caroline Williams, who helped shape his family with grace; his partner Suzanna Washburn; Susanna’s son Josh and grandson Braiden; his brothers Dean, Bob, and John; and a wide community of friends who will miss him at every gathering, every happy hour, and every good song.

He was preceded in death by his brothers Gary and Dave, and his parents Erb and Marge.

Steve Hunziker built things that lasted — businesses, staircases, relationships, a family of people who go out and make their own way. He came from builders. He raised builders. He was a good man, and he will be missed.

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A celebration of life will be held on May 16th in Boulder, Colorado. More details to come.