Stephen Henry Berscheid, 75, of Lead passed away Tuesday, November 9, 2010 at Lead-Deadwood Regional Hospital. Steve was born in Deadwood, SD, April 16, 1935, to Stephen H. and Merle (Dean) Berscheid. Lovingly raised by his stepfather, Joseph Kotek from age of two. Steve graduated from Lead High School and went to college in Lincoln, NE, and Chattanooga, TN.
Steve then joined the Forest Service, full-time, in 1959 as one of the first smoke jumpers with the Helitack crew in Hill City. In 1959, he also married Connie Cummings and raised their five children. After 36 years with the Forest Service, he retired as the Vocational Administrator at the Nemo Job Corps Conservation Center. Throughout his career with the Forest Service he served as Fire Chief, OSHA Officer, and fire fighting crew trainer and supervisor.

After retiring, he started his own home remodeling business.

Steve is survived by wife, Connie Berscheid of Lead, son Stephen J. (Susan) Berscheid and their children, Stephen L., Aaron, Joel; daughter Starrla (Steven) Walters and their children Jill and Matthew; daughter Shana (Jeff) Seim and their children, Sheyenne and Jackson; son Shad (Jodi) Berscheid and their children, Brandon, Dominic and Noah; and daughter Stacia (Ryan) Flick and their children, Rylee and Paiton. Steve is also survived by three brothers, Skip Kotek, Aris Kotek, Marvin Kotek and two sisters, Marie Jarvis and Jodi Plumb. He was preceded in death by his parents, step-father, and step mother Katie along with a daughter Sunny Joelane.
Visitation for Steve will be from 5 PM to 7 PM Friday, November 12, 2010 at Lead-Deadwood Memorial Chapel in Lead, SD. Funeral Services will be at 10 AM Saturday, November 13, 2010 at Trinity United Methodist Church in Lead, SD. Burial will follow at Oakridge Cemetery near Deadwood.