Steven Andrew Gretencord

Steven Andrew Gretencord, 61, of Fishers, IN, passed away at home surrounded by his family on November 10, 2024. He was born on December 12, 1962, in Lafayette, IN.

Visitation for Steve will be from 4-8 pm on Thursday, November 14, 2024, at Flanner Buchanan – Oaklawn Memorial Gardens (Conner Suite) – 9700 Allisonville Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46250. For only this event, Steve and the family request for those attending to wear their favorite sports team jersey or shirt.

An additional visitation will be held from 10-11 am on Friday, November 15, 2024, at Holy Spirit Parish at Geist – 10350 Glaser Way, Fishers, IN 46037, with a funeral Mass at 11 am. Family and friends are welcome to gather for a meal following Mass at the church. Steve will be laid to rest at Our Lady of Peace Cemetery in Indianapolis. There will be a Celebration of Life at a later date. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Lawrence Township School Foundation (LTSF), a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering the educational experience and success of Lawrence Township students. Contributions in memory of Steven Gretencord will go toward a scholarship fund in his name to support Lawrence Township students. Checks can be made payable to LTSF and mailed to 6501 Sunnyside Road, Indianapolis, IN 46236, with "Memorial Gift for Steven Gretencord" in the memo line. Donations can also be made online at msdltf.org/how-to-help/donate-now Steve also requested donations be made to the Humane Society for Hamilton County at www.hamiltonhumane.com/how-to-help/general

Steve grew up in Lafayette, Indiana, and attended Lafayette Jefferson High School, graduating in 1981. While in high school, he played on the varsity basketball and tennis teams. He then went on to attend Purdue University, where he graduated in 1985. One of his favorite activities at Purdue was playing basketball at the CoRec. Steve began his lifelong teaching career at Brownsburg Junior High School in 1987. While there, he met a substitute teacher studying for the LSAT named Laura Steinfeld. Three years later, they were married and celebrated their 33rd wedding anniversary this past June. 

Steve spent his entire career as a junior high and high school teacher, primarily in the Lawrence Township School District. He also taught at Bishop Chatard High School and Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Grade School. He had a passion for teaching and genuinely cared for his students, maintaining relationships with some of them long after they graduated.

In addition to his teaching, Steve had a passion for coaching various sports, with tennis being his favorite. While in college, he volunteered as a coach for the varsity basketball team at West Lafayette Jr./Sr. High School. After graduating, he spent his first two years coaching in the Brownsburg Community School Corporation, followed by several years in the Lawrence Township School Corporation at Craig Middle School and Fall Creek Valley Middle School. He coached tennis at Lawrence Central High School from 1994 to 2000, then stepped away when his third child was born. He resumed coaching tennis at Lawrence Central High School from 2018 to 2020. He also coached several basketball and baseball teams for his sons.

Steve loved Purdue basketball and football and was thrilled when he and Laura attended the Purdue basketball team’s Final Four games in Arizona this past April. He also loved the Indianapolis Colts and has been a season ticket holder for many years - even attending Super Bowl XLI in Miami to watch the Colts win their Super Bowl. 

Of all the sports teams Steve followed, he was most passionate about the St. Louis Cardinals. From the age of 5, he attended hundreds of Cardinals games throughout his life. Over his 61 years, he kept track of the baseball games he attended, visiting 29 different ballparks and going to a total of 251 games. His happy place was always in a ballpark. One of the highlights of each year for Steve was the annual summer weekend trip to St. Louis with his father and three sisters for a Cardinals weekend series. 

While teaching, coaching, and sports were his passions, his greatest love was his family. His most treasured role was that of a devoted husband to his wife, Laura, whose partnership brought him great happiness. He also took immense pride in being a father to his three children: Andrew, Alec, and Caroline. For Steve, there was nothing more rewarding than spending quality time with his family, supporting their dreams, and creating lasting memories. He consistently made it a priority to put their needs and well-being above everything else, demonstrating his unwavering love and commitment to them.

Steve and Laura attended numerous basketball games, baseball games, and tennis matches featuring their sons, as well as many cheer competitions in which their daughter performed. Family vacations held great significance for Steve. Every Christmas season since 1981, the family would travel to Siesta Key, Florida, where they would spend a week with other members of the Gretencord family.

In November 2018, Steve was diagnosed with brain cancer (glioblastoma). Miraculously, he survived for six years, even briefly returning to teach at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Grade School and coaching tennis with his son, Alec, at Lawrence Central High School. Steve credited his survival to the countless prayers he received and an effective clinical trial chemotherapy drug from MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. His family is extremely grateful for the extra time they had with him, even as they mourn the loss of their beloved father, taken too soon. During Steve's battle with cancer, the family made sure to take many vacations together to make the most of their limited time.

Steve had a deeply cherished relationship with his father, John, who is currently 92 years old. Throughout Steve's 34 years of teaching, he called his father every morning while driving to school. A silver lining during Steve's battle with cancer, which prevented him from continuing to teach school, was the opportunity to visit his father every day, as John lives just half a mile from Steve's home. The bond between Steve and John was incredibly strong and special. In addition, Steve enjoyed growing up with his three sisters: Shar, Cathy, and Audrey. The connection he shared with each of them was profound and meaningful. 

Steve never met a stranger. In almost every situation, he felt perfectly comfortable striking up a conversation with anyone he encountered. He would often ask people wearing a sports team hat, “Are you a fan or just wearing the hat?” Most of the time they were fans, which led to a conversation. Steve also frequently asked young adults he met where they had attended high school, eager to find out if he had taught them many years ago. Remarkably, in many cases, he had. Steve was truly one of a kind and will be greatly missed by many. His warmth and kindness will be remembered by all who knew him. His ability to connect with people and his genuine interest in their well-being made him not just a teacher but also a mentor, role model, and friend. Throughout his life, he touched the hearts of many.

The family thanks Dr. John de Groot, Dr. David Josephson, Dr. Chris Leagre, and Dr. Ruemu Birhiray, together with numerous, wonderful nurses for their care of Steve during his illness. Thank you also to Claire, Cara, and Shashawn for their work with Steve at the rehabilitation hospital, in addition to Robanne, Amanda, and Sam. Without these caring medical professionals, his time would have been more limited. 

Steve was predeceased by his mother, Shirley (nee John). He is survived by his wife, Laura; their children, Andrew (Anna), Alec, and Caroline, all from Fishers; his father, John, also of Fishers; his siblings, Sharlene (Gene) Austin from Austin, TX, Cathy Gretencord from Indianapolis, and Audrey (Guerin) Bernardin from Kyle, TX; his father-in-law, Walt Steinfeld from Indianapolis; his mother-in-law, Jeanne Steinfeld from Indianapolis; and his brother-in-law, Joe (Rose) Steinfeld, from Fishers. 

He is also survived by his nieces Kathryn Austin, Kate Bertagnoli, and Margo Steinfeld; nephews Jay (Sarah) Austin, SPC Collin Bertagnoli, Cole Bertagnoli, Guerin Bernardin, and Jack Steinfeld; great-niece Madeline Austin, and great-nephews JJ and Hank Austin. Additionally, he is survived by his Uncle Edward John and Aunt Rebecca Tyner of Elwood, IN, plus many cousins.