Theodore "Ted" Christian Stein Jr.

Ted grew up in Codell, Kansas, on his family farm—roots that stayed with him throughout a life marked by steady purpose and a deep respect for community. He graduated from Codell High School and went on to attend Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina, Kansas, where he earned his bachelor’s degree. He later attended Ft. Hays State in Ft. Hays, Kansas, earning his master’s degree. During his first marriage, Ted became a father, a role that remained central to his life.

For 35 years, Ted served as a devoted high school teacher and coach in several Kansas communities and one in Nebraska. He coached in Bogue, Kansas; Sylvan Grove, Kansas; Arapahoe, Nebraska; Clearwater, Kansas; Norton, Kansas; and Salina, Kansas. As a coach and mentor, he encouraged and shaped many young men who later became lifelong friends. A successful coach and motivator, Ted was especially proud to have been selected in 1982 as one of the assistant coaches for the Kansas Shrine Bowl.

While teaching and coaching, Ted began crop adjusting during summer months—work that would become his second career. In 2000, after retiring from teaching and coaching, he accepted a full-time position with Blakely Crop Hail in Topeka, Kansas, serving as National Claims Manager and later being promoted to Claims Vice President.

On April 15, 2014, Ted married Marilyn K. Willms. He was a long-standing member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Alma, Kansas.

Ted loved the outdoors and especially cherished annual hunting trips with his brothers, nephews Phil and Mark, and his wife Marilyn. He was always willing to share his knowledge with anyone interested in learning. He also dearly loved his 13 hunting dogs, all Labrador retrievers. His last dog, a yellow lab named Cheyenne, remained with Ted and Marilyn during his illness.

In 2019, Ted was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and began a long, frustrating, and courageous battle. He was able to remain at home with Marilyn as his devoted caretaker until the last three weeks of his life.

Ted is survived by his wife, Marilyn; his children, Doug (Erin) of Salina, Kansas, Chris of Lawrence, Kansas, Steve, Scott (Sadonna) of Norwood, Missouri, and Rayliena of Leavenworth, Kansas; twelve grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and his brothers, Dean (Helen) of Overland Park, Kansas, and Scott (Christine) of Lenexa, Kansas.

A memorial service is planned for Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, with a light reception to follow.

The family asks that memorial contributions be made to Deeper Windows at Leavenworth, Kansas, or to St. John’s Lutheran Church, Alma, Kansas.