Steven J. Henderson

Steven James Henderson

April 19, 1948 – May 1, 2026

Steven James Henderson — husband, father, brother, friend, and mentor — died in Spokane, WA, on May 1, 2026, as a result of a heart attack. He was 78 years old.

He is survived by his wife, Jeanie, of 41 years; his daughter Tammia and husband Luke Prottsman of Iowa City, IA, and their children Kenna, Jarris, and Cambrie; his daughter Lynn Ann and husband Wayne Boettcher of Coeur d’Alene, ID, and their children Jack, Mia, and Maddie; his daughter Candace and Aaron Stidolph of Fort Collins, CO, and their children Amelia, Blaire, and Gannett; his son David and wife Brooke Henderson of Juliaetta, ID, and their children Oliver and Rex; his daughter Kristel and husband Conley Read of San Francisco, CA; and his daughter Heidi Henderson of Cody, WY. Steve is also survived by his brothers, Dennis and wife Janelle, and Elwayne and wife Bonnie, of Wallowa, OR; his sister, Teri and husband Kevin Cothren, of Lewiston, ID; plus many nieces and nephews.

Steve was born April 19, 1948, to James “Jim” and Vera (Gorbett) Henderson in Walla Walla, WA. Soon after, the new little family moved to Promise, OR to farm with his Gorbett grandparents on their multi-generational homestead. He relished his childhood memories there, farming with Dad, hunting with Grandpa, and attending his first five grades of school in the little one-room schoolhouse.

In 1959, the growing family moved to Wallowa, now including Dennis, Elwayne, and soon little sister Teri.

His parents instilled the values of hard work, integrity, agency, and kindness — a legacy that continues to be passed down to children and grandchildren. As a teenager, Steve made a deliberate decision to surrender his life to God. It became his lifelong anchor, grounding and guiding him through every stage of life.

After graduating from High School in Wallowa, Steve attended Eastern Oregon University, followed by Oregon State University, where he earned a degree in agriculture education and forestry. He never lost his love of learning.

Steve spent one year at Forest Grove High School, teaching welding, forestry, and agriculture. In 1971, he returned to the forest products industry, gradually progressing into business ownership — first with his father in Wallowa and then in Lewiston, Idaho, with his brother-in-law Dick Waldo.

On March 1, 1975, Steve married Carol Waldo, and they made their home in Lewiston, Idaho. They shared eight happy years of married life, building their business and growing their family — adopting David, born in 1979, and then Kristel, born in 1981.

Carol died unexpectedly in 1983, a loss that made an indelible mark on Steve’s life. He continued honoring her memory by telling stories about her humor, zest for life, and by being quick to share expressions of admiration and love. Through that devastating experience, Steve described surrendering to the love, care, and guidance of God. His and Carol’s family, his fellowship, and his community bolstered his hope and helped carry them through.

In 1980, Steve founded Steve Henderson Logging, Inc. He loved the challenge of working in the woods, but above all, he valued the good people this work brought into his life. Steve never stopped teaching or sharing his industry experience and was a valued mentor to many new loggers starting out.

In 1984, Steve was introduced to Jeanie (Mattison, Braaten), who was also recently widowed and had three daughters, Tammia, Lynn Ann, and Candace. An earnest courtship between them ensued, and the two little families were joined in marriage, opening another rich life chapter.

Summers were spent in the woods, now with five kids and often several kittens. There were swimming holes, terrarium-building, huckleberry-picking escapades, and sometimes roads to clear and brush to pile. Steve taught the kids and his new wife how to communicate their position on logging roads over the CB radio, so they wouldn’t be caught at an impasse on a hairpin turn with a logging truck coming the other direction. During these years, the family lived in Clarkia, Lewiston, and finally in Deary, Idaho, where they made their home for 15 years. In 1987, the family was completed by the birth of a daughter, Heidi.

The kids fondly remember their dad grilling steaks, making biscuits and gravy on Sunday mornings, playing his accordion, and his steady support in their 4-H and FFA projects, and sporting and music events. His hobbies included golfing, restoring tractors, and tending to the beloved family homestead at Promise. He made a point of staying close to and integrating all pieces of his combined family, and honoring those ties as part of his own.

Steve’s eye for opportunity and his adventurous spirit all found a second home in New Zealand. What began as a venture — buying, planting, harvesting, and replanting on two tree farms — grew into another rich chapter in his life: a home, a business, a circle of dear friends, and a connection to that land and country that became as much a part of him as the forests of Idaho.

Appreciated for his candor and generosity, he was an ambitious and visionary steward of all he was responsible for: his faith, his family, his home, his memories, and land.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents, Jim (2012) and Vera (2021), and his first wife, Carol (1983).

Viewing will be held Friday, May 8 from 12-6 PM at Short’s Funeral Chapel, 1225 E 6th StreetMoscow, ID 83843. Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 9 with Visitation at 9 AM and Funeral at 10 AM at the Moscow Middle School- Bear Den, 1410 E D Street Moscow, ID 83843

Steve will be laid to rest in the Moscow cemetery in a private burial service.

A link to a livestream will be posted shortly before the Saturday service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your favorite charity or the Intermountain Logging Conference Foundation at www.ilcfoundation.org.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Short’s Funeral Chapel of Moscow and condolences may be left at www.shortsfuneralchapel.com