Steven Mark Hurla

Steven Mark Hurla (the original Hurlacane) passed away in his home with his family by his side on March 12th, 2025. He was born on July 26, 1951 in Seneca, KS to Louis and Pauline Hurla. He met the love of his life, Pamela Suzanne Voss, in 1974 and married her nearly a year later on April 12th, 1975. They were blessed with four of the world’s greatest children; Stephanie Suzanne White (his favorite oldest daughter), Kathryn Kelly Dismang (his favorite youngest daughter), Joshua Shaw (his favorite oldest son), and Nicholas Cole (his favorite youngest son). Each have married/will marry the loves of their life; Craig White, Michael Dismang Jr., Elizabeth (Liz) Boyd, and Tessa Darnaby.

Steve leaves behind four equally wonderful grandchildren; Justice (his favorite oldest grandson), Camryn (his favorite youngest grandson), Alexys (his favorite oldest granddaughter), and Lyla (his favorite youngest granddaughter).

He loved and was loved by all his seven siblings. He leaves behind his sister, Ginger Brinker, his four brothers; Louis, Robert, Jerry, and David. He is predeceased by one brother, Phillip.

Bob, Dan, Bill, Kathy, Vivian, and Phyllis – know that after 50 years you (and your spouses) were siblings to him as well and that he adored/loved you. The time spent together at family gatherings as well as the farm meant so much.

Steve’s immediate family will not be the only ones immensely missing him as he leaves behind numerous members of his extended family and friends. A special thank you to Phyllis and Ted (Teddie) for the sleepovers and then for day trips to lend support/laughter. A special thank you to Vivian for always being a phone call away and then literally a step away when it absolutely mattered the most. There are too many others to mention here but know that he cherished the joy, light, and especially the laughter he shared with all of you over his many years in this world.

Steve was charismatic and had a knack for building lasting relationships/friendships. These lifelong friendships have persevered before social media was a thing. Personal check ins and updates over the years have seen these friendships stand the test of time. His lifelong friendship with Mike, Pat, and Denny Boltz started when they were young boys living down the street from one another. The Boltz’s mom, Mary, taught him how to fish and, thus, ignited/encouraged his love of fishing. This love of fishing was passed along to Josh and Pam as well. From now on whenever we cast a line or catch a fish we will be thinking of him.

Steve was a self-taught guitar and piano player but an even greater songwriter and singer. Being a musician was every part of his identity. Even as recently as this year he was having jam sessions with his friends in his living room. He and another lifelong friend, Bill, were still working on new songs/music together with Bill sending him ideas for songs that Steve could write the lyrics to.

He was in several bands over the years Pepperstone, Last Call, along with a few others, but most notably The Willow Wind Band. Willow Wind held a special place in his heart and so many, many others (especially his family). Going to the Willow Wind reunion out at the Huyett farm (thank you Huyett family) was the highlight of the year for so many years. Special thanks to Bruce Lynn, Everett Keener, Gary McDaniels, and the late Kevin Schanck, along with an honorary mention to Gail (Red) Brobst, and the many others that performed with them over the years. A heartfelt thanks for all the great memories and music you left us to cherish. Another heartfelt thanks to David Hurla for recording all the live performances on your cassette player.

Steve was drafted into the army in January of 1971. He spent time in Fort Polk, LA as well as in South Korea. He was honorably discharged in November of 1972. He returned back home and went back to the stage doing what he loved (singing and bringing joy to those around him).

He had quite the professional career that brought him joy, travel, speaking engagements, and most notably additional lifelong friendships. Some of these friendships developed into an extended family with our photo albums blending together over years (David, Luisa, Tatiana, Chanda, and Kaleb he loved each of you).

He loved his wife, Pamela Suzanne (Voss) Hurla, of 50 years immensely, unconditionally, and more than words on a page could ever say or convey. He loved his world’s greatest children and grandchildren equally (well maybe, depending on the day).

When writing this obituary, we listened to his music trying to find ways to capture his essence and to do him justice. He would always say his songwriting was his storytelling; the songs and lyrics were from a storyteller. Those that knew him will miss the stories, his ability to listen, and to make you smile & laugh with his quick wit that could just crack you up.

Honor his legacy; be positive, nurture your relationships, live your life to its fullest (just ask Justice), have fun, laugh and smile often, be kind, fish a little (or a lot), sing a little (or a lot), play music until the wee hours of the morning, be a good sport, enjoy sports, say GO CHIEFS throughout the season and more, have a little sarcasm, let your kids take pictures/videos of you whenever they (she) wants, love your family/friends with your whole being, don’t hold grudges, let your family have all the animals they want, take them to a scheduled polygraph test and let them know you will bail them out of jail (if needed), be a great babysitter and dog sitter, love your wife & tell her often, let your wife decorate the house, give your children/grandchildren mini concerts, sing them to sleep, crawl into bed with them to read them stories and to tell them stories (or to place cotton that resembles cobwebs around their bed), enjoy your grandkids, let your kids/grandkids know they are more than enough, when they are too much, and when they are not being enough, encourage their dreams, call on every birthday, if you agree to do something – do it right, be forever present, lessen life’s blows with a touch of compassion and humor (even when they are crying over spilled pee), and even if you can’t talk right now say “I love you.”

In lieu of sending flowers, raise a glass and toast not only him but yourself as well for having the honor of knowing the famous Steven Mark Hurla. Cherish him and know that his kindness and humor prevailed until the very end of this world and that he is “off like a herd of turtles” on his “next big adventure.” We have no doubt that he was greeted by a massive welcoming committee that is so excited to be with him on his next adventure. We are sure he will drop all of us a note or two just to remind us that he is still forever present and keeping a watchful eye. We love you Steven Mark Hurla – we are forever grateful!

*We owe a special gratitude to the medical staff at St. Joseph and Kindred Hospitals along with the hospice team at Ascend. They each gave us the gift of time with one of our favorite people in this beautiful world. Words are not enough – thank you!

Steve requested to be cremated. A celebration of life/party will be held on April 6th from 2:00 pm-7:00 pm at Lee Andrews Hall and Gardens located at 8510 SW State Route 7 in Blue Springs, MO 64014

The family will have an "open mic" starting at 3pm for those that would like to share a story, a poem, a song, etc. about/regarding Steve."