Stephen Terry Engnes, 78, Plattsburg, Missouri, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, April 7, 2025.
He was born August 8, 1946, to Alvin and Minnie (Lewis) Engnes in Oskaloosa, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed Lutheran.
As a child the family moved frequently due to Alvin??™s job. Always the new kid in school, he quickly learned if there was something he didn??™t like about a particular situation, not to sweat it because he wouldn??™t be there that long anyway. Steve attended 10 different schools across the Midwest, ultimately graduating in Missouri from Marshall High School in 1965.
A Vietnam War veteran who served in the United States Army, Steve was an expert M-16 rifleman and recipient of the National Defense Service Medal and Vietnam Service Medal. He felt very deeply for his Army brothers, and it wasn??™t until much later in life that he was able to talk about his experiences there. After his honorable discharge in 1968, he went to work for Clarkson Construction, where he was an active member of Local 101 and excelled at various roles during his 44 years of service. After his retirement in 2009, Steve enjoyed spending time on the golf course with family and friends, participating in several tournaments.
Steve was not only known for his professional achievements but also for his hobbies. He was the ultimate car guy who loved old Corvettes and muscle cars, and owned his own business, Steve??™s Custom Motors. Eventually he transformed the business into a wrecker service, Steve??™s Custom Towing, where he served the Plattsburg community for many years. Always looking for a deal, he bought, sold, and restored more cars than anyone can count over his lifetime. By his count he must have had at least 40-50 Corvettes over the years. One of his proudest achievements was working alongside his friend Brian Monger to fully restore a 1970 Chevelle SS-454 convertible. It won “Best in Show” everywhere it went. The car also won the “Editor??™s Choice” award and was featured in Super Chev magazine.
His passion for drag racing led him to establish Mr. Lucky Racing, a tribute to the car that started it all, a 1956 Chevrolet hardtop known as “Mr. Lucky.” He ran the car from 1970 to 1972 at most of the tracks in the Kansas City area with great success. In 2004, at his home track, U.S. 36 Raceway, Steve won the Super Pro Track Championship??”the same season his son won his first Pro Track Championship. Not too shabby for a man in his 50s who had not raced in over 30 years. Steve shared his vast knowledge and absolute love of being at the track with his children and grandchildren, making racing truly a family affair. Recently, he felt the culmination of all his years by witnessing his grandson, the third generation of Engnes racers, make it to the pros as an NHRA crew member.
Steve was a man of faith. Tough as nails on the outside, but soft on the inside. He faced his fight against cancer with bravery, never losing his sense of humor, often saying “We??™re gonna go ’til we blow.” He leaves a hole in our hearts and lives that can never be filled, but we take comfort knowing there is a celebration in heaven taking place. Steve has been reunited with his parents Alvin and Minnie; siblings, Olin Engnes, Marilyn Wierschke, and Kathryn Payne.
Survivors include his brother, Alan Engnes; children, Kim Plummer (Mark), Tracy Johnson (Paul), and Adam Engnes; grandchildren, Shelby Weimer, Emily Babb, Alex Weimer, Noah Plummer, Avery Plummer, Marin Johnson, Katie Engnes, Taylor Coldren, Karerra Meza, Dawn Rapp, AdamStephen Engnes, Angelina Engnes, Kaylynn Engnes, and Shelby Larson; eight great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
The family will gather with friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, May 2, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. A celebration of Steve??™s life and public livestream will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 3, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. The interment will take place at Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery on a future date. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.
