G. Stephen Beimdiek, Carthage, Missouri (MO) died on June 17, 2024, at the age of 82.
Steve Beimdiek was born September 13, 1941, in Carthage, MO, the son of George S. Beimdiek and Geraldine Hafner (Buescher) Beimdiek. He attended public schools in Carthage and graduated from Carthage High School in 1959. In 1963 he graduated from the University of Missouri, Columbia, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. Steve was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. Following graduation, he served as a First Lieutenant in the United States Army. After leaving the service, Steve attended law school and graduated from the University of Missouri School of Law, Columbia, in 1969. He continued his membership in the Missouri Bar Association.
On November 22, 1978, he married Mary Jean Beck.
Steve returned to Carthage in 1969, joining Beimdiek Insurance, the company started by his father. In 1975, he became President and CEO. Under Steve’s leadership, the business grew through hard work and various acquisitions to ultimately serve many customers in the four-state area and nationwide, including some of the region’s largest businesses, public entities, schools and social service agencies.
In addition to his business career, Steve had a deep commitment to Carthage and community service. He held leadership positions and served on various committees and boards throughout his life, including the Carthage Economic Development Corporation (CED) and the Carthage Crisis Center. He served on the Carthage City Council and was President of the Carthage Chamber of Commerce and Carthage United Way. Steve was a longstanding member of the Carthage Water & Electric Plant (CWEP) Board, serving on the board until his death. In 2015, he was selected as Carthage Citizen of the Year. He was a member of Grace Episcopal Church and served on the vestry and as Junior and Senior Warden. Steve was active in countless other business, civic, religious and charitable organizations.
Steve used his leadership, outgoing nature, sense of humor and unwavering upbeat attitude to support, mentor and provide opportunities to many men and women in their careers and their lives. Many people have shared stories with the family in recent days saying Steve was like a second father to them, or that he changed the path of their lives. He was a friend to many and will be deeply missed by an incredibly long list of friends, colleagues and family.
Steve had many hobbies and interests in his life, particularly of the outdoors and hunting. He earned his pilot’s license and flew a small plane for many years to destinations near and far. He also organized and led an annual pheasant hunt to South Dakota for friends and family for more than 30 years, resulting in many legendary stories of successful days in the field. In Carthage, he was known to have ready snacks for birds, turtles and neighborhood stray cats.
Steve also loved spending time at his second home, a farm he shared with his wife Mary Jean in Stowe, Vermont. While in Vermont he spent time in the woods and fields, watching the many birds, deer, turkeys and even a few bears that roamed the property.
Survivors include his wife Mary Jean Beimdiek; two daughters, Ann Melissa (Steve) Kinsella, St Paul, MN, and Erin Reed Logsdon Nashville, TN; two grandchildren James Andrew (Jak) Kinsella, Atlanta, GA and Margaret Marie Kinsella, St. Paul, MN. He was preceded in death by two sons, Johan Stephen Beimdiek (1974) and Christopher Stephen Beimdiek (1994), his sister Carolyn Phelps (2023), and his parents George Stephen Beimdiek, Jr. (2007) and Geraldine Buescher Beimdiek (1992).
Funeral services will be held at Grace Episcopal Church Friday, June 21 at 10:00 AM with burial in Park Cemetery. Memorials may be given to Grace Episcopal Church or the Carthage Humane Society.
Arrangements are under the direction of Knell Mortuary, Carthage, MO.
