Stephen Michael Lutes, age 53, passed away on July 16, 2026, after a valiant and courageous battle with chondrosarcoma. Born October 6, 1972, in Denver, Colorado, Steve lived a life filled with love, laughter, adventure, family, friendship, and an unmistakable ability to make everyone around him feel special.

Steve grew up in Arvada, Colorado, until his family moved to Lombard, Illinois, where he continued his education and graduated from Willowbrook High School in 1991. He went on to attend Eastern Illinois University, where he played football and earned his Bachelor's Degree in Psychology. He later earned his Master's Degree in Organizational and Industrial Psychology from Roosevelt University in Chicago, Illinois.

After graduation, Steve's career path took him through a variety of jobs and experiences, but it wasn't until he joined Huwa Enterprises in 2012 that he truly found a position he loved. He remained with Huwa Enterprises until the time of his passing. What began as a career became so much more to Steve. The people he worked with became his second family, and the relationships he built there were a meaningful part of his life. Steve's natural ability to connect with people, make them feel valued, and bring people together made him a special part of the Huwa Enterprises family.

Steve was everything you could ever want as a son, husband, father, brother, nephew, cousin, and friend. From a young age, he was a little daredevil who kept his parents on their toes and regularly terrorized his older sister, Renee, as only a younger brother could. He never seemed to sit still for long, always exploring the world around him. Fearless, curious, generous, funny, and mischievous, Steve had a gift for bringing people together and forming lifelong friendships wherever he went.

He never met a stranger. Everyone who knew Steve has a “Steve Story.” He had a way of making people feel seen, valued, and important. From a young age, he had the remarkable gift of bringing people together and forming friendships that lasted a lifetime. That gift followed him throughout adulthood, and everywhere Steve went, he left behind people who considered him a friend.

His sense of humor was legendary, and his willingness to wear a costume for absolutely no reason was just one of the many things that made him so endearing to the people who loved him.

As a youngster, Steve loved playing baseball and football and became a lifelong Denver Broncos fan before he could even walk. He loved the outdoors and spent as much time as possible exploring the mountains or finding his way to the closest beach. He was also incredibly thoughtful, with a special knack for finding the strangest, most unexpected gifts and giving them to people for no reason other than to make them smile.

On November 17, 2017, Steve married the love of his life, Annie. In 2019, they welcomed their son, Shepherd (“Shep”), and Steve became the proudest father imaginable. Being a husband and father was among the greatest joys of his life. His love for Annie and Shep was deep, unwavering, and evident to everyone who knew him.

Steve also shared a special bond with his nieces and nephews and loved them fiercely. His family was one of the greatest sources of joy in his life, and he treasured the time he spent with those he loved.

Faith, Family and Freedom

Steve lived his life by three simple but powerful words: Faith, Family and Freedom.

They were more than a motto to him—they were the values that guided the way he lived, loved, worked, and cared for the people around him. His faith gave him strength, his family was his greatest treasure, and his love of freedom was woven into the adventurous and fearless spirit that made Steve who he was.

Faith. Family. Freedom: Three words that perfectly capture the life Steve lived and the legacy he leaves behind.

Steve is survived by his beloved wife, Annie, and son, Shepherd; his mother, Kathryn Lutes; his sister, Renee; his birth mother, Jeannie Betthauser; his nieces and nephews, CJ, Jona, Judah, Zoe, and London; his sister-in-law, Katie; his mother-in-law, Mary Hoffa; and his father-in-law, James Hoffa, along with countless extended family members and friends who loved him dearly.

He was preceded in death by his father, Charles Lutes; his nephew, Tanner; and his niece, Kelli.

Steve's life was far too short, but the mark he left on the people around him was enormous. He taught those who knew him to laugh often, love fiercely, embrace adventure, give generously, and never be afraid to be a little ridiculous. His absence will be deeply felt, but his laughter, stories, kindness, generosity, and unforgettable spirit will live on in everyone fortunate enough to have known him.

Everyone has a Steve Story. Now we get to spend the rest of our lives telling them.

Celebration of Life

Please join us in celebrating Steve's life on:

Friday, September 11, 202610:30 a.m.Huwa Ranch5415 County Road 89Roggen, Colorado 80652

Come as You Remember Steve

Please wear anything that reminds you of Steve: a Hawaiian shirt, Denver Broncos shirt, flannel, cowboy boots, cowboy hat, or whatever makes you think of him.

You are encouraged to wear shoes you don't mind getting dirty, because there will be dirt to kick up - just the way Steve liked it.

In Steve's Honor

A GoFundMe has been established to support Annie and Shepherd as they navigate life without Steve and to help provide stability for their future.

Those who wish to honor Steve's memory may do so through their love, prayers, memories, and support for his family: Support Annie & Shepherd in Honor of Steve.