Steven W. Wilhoft

Steven W. Wilhoft, 58, of Parsons, Kansas died early Tuesday evening from injuries received in an automobile accident.

Steve was born July 22, 1958 in Denver, Colorado to Frederick J. Wilhoft, Jr. and Terry A. (McNassor) Wilhoft.  He attended elementary school in Brighton, Colorado and graduated in 1976 from Ranum High School in Denver.  He went on to earn a Business Degree from Ottawa University in Ottawa, Kansas.  Steve graduated from Washburn University School of Law in 1992.

In 1985, Steve married Karissa J. Bartlett at the First Christian Church in Saint Francis, Kansas.  They have three children.

Steve's career began with the Law Office of Richard Tucker in Parsons.  He later opened his own private practice.  He served as Labette County Attorney from 2000 to 2007 when Steve became an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Kansas, working as a part of the KBI Southeast Kansas Drug Taskforce.  He remained in this position until his passing.  In March of this year, he was the first recipient of the Drug Prosecutor of the Year Award through the Kansas Narcotics Officers Association.

Steve served as an Elder at Trinity Lutheran Church in Parsons.  He was an enthusiastic sports fan, devoted to the Kansas City Chiefs and the Kansas City Royals.  He enjoyed collecting vintage comedian memorabilia and watching classic silent comedies.  Steve was a talented musician. He had a beautiful tenor voice and also played the guitar and banjo. He was an avid reader who loved reading historical non-fiction.  Steve was a staunch conservative.

Steve is survived by his wife and best friend, Karissa, his son Jonathan Wilhoft and wife Courtney of Parsons, his daughter Violet Riggs and husband Stephen of Derby, Kansas, and his daughter Liesl Wilhoft of the home.  He also leaves three grandsons who were his pride and joy, Atticus and Jonas Wilhoft and Oliver Riggs and was anticipating the arrival of his fourth grandchild who is due in October.  He is survived by his parents, his sister Debbie Westmoreland and husband Dennis of Bailey, Colorado, his brother Frederick Wilhoft III and his wife Kathy of Wichita, Kansas, and his brother Jonathan Wilhoft of Omaha, Nebraska.  Steve is also survived by his father-in-law, John Bartlett, of Parsons, 14 nieces and nephews, and many great nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be at the Municipal Auditorium at 3:00 PM on Monday, April 24, with committal immediately following at Oakwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:30 until 8:00 PM, Sunday at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home.   Memorial donations may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church and these may be left at or mailed to the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, 405 Main Street, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.