Steven L. Neitge

Steven “Steve” Neitge, 58, passed away following a rapid and unexpected medical event.

Born in Mankato to Kathleen Hickstein (Weinstein) and Steven Foley Neitge, Steve grew up in a lively, blended family and gained a beloved stepfather, Mark Weinstein, at the age of eight. He learned from Mark and his mom that “It doesn’t cost a nickel to be nice,” a motto he carried faithfully throughout his life.

Steve began playing hockey at age 5, quickly forming the deep, lifelong friendships that became a defining thread of his story. His early hockey community grew into a large extended “hockey family” that stayed with him for decades. A 1985 graduate of Mankato East High School, Steve later married his high school sweetheart, Vicki Bachmeyer (Bultman), in August of 1993.

A connector by nature, Steve made friends everywhere he went—through work in the area newspaper industry, insurance sales through Twin Cities Underwriters, black top resurfacing with Pearson Brothers and most recently as a mail courier with P.H. Selly. Steve worked hard so he could enjoy an early-retirement lifestyle, spending one to two months at a time in Isla Mujeres, Mexico. In January 2018, he completed an unforgettable motorcycle trip through the Copper Canyon of Mexico. His love for music took him across the country and abroad—he followed Iron Maiden on tour across Europe in 2010. He loved local and regional music shows of almost any genre with his friends and siblings, a passion sparked by his very first concert: KISS at the Bloomington Met Stadium in 1977.

Service to others was woven through Steve’s life. He coached Peewees and Bantams in the Mankato MAHA and Faribault hockey associations. He later coached boys and girls at Shattuck-St. Mary’s, including players like Zach Parise, Jack Johnson and Sarah Murray. Many others went onto the Men's/Women’s Olympic teams, D1, Top 10 and higher onto pro levels. He was a season ticket holder for Men’s Maverick Hockey for nearly 10 years, and supported teams of all age levels.

After losing his stepfather Mark Weinstein to cancer in 2015, Steve honored his legacy by founding the ECHO Food Shelf Hockey Spectacular with his hockey family in August 2020. He eventually joined the ECHO board and put on a musical ECHO fundraiser, “Hoo’s Hungry?” on November 15, 2025 with the Lost Chord Record Store Reunion with the help of family, friends and the incredible ECHO team of volunteers. With the help of a 40K matching grant, Over $76K was raised to help with area food security.

A proud part of the Mankato Area Pickle Ball Association and St. Peter pickleball communities, Steve loved the camaraderie of the courts. Just three days before his passing, he earned 2nd place in doubles at a big local tournament. His weeks were a joyful mix of working hard—selling insurance, delivering mail, cooking great meals—along with rallying at pickleball, along with all of his hockey leagues including Mankato Senior Men’s, Waylett’s, C Team, Fusion Hockey, Legends, 3V3, Faribault Federal League and did several out of state tournaments.

Steve inspired many in their recovery journeys and celebrated ten years of sobriety this year. Since 2017, he shared life with his partner, MaryAnn Nelson, and nurtured a meaningful and supportive relationship with her.

He made time for multiple sobriety meetings each week, deepened his growing interest in spirituality, sought out live music, and checked in thoughtfully with countless friends, old and new. Staying connected to people was his most natural gift. Steve collected nicknames as easily as he collected friends. One of his first was “Wee Wee,” given by his little sister Lisa. His Uncle Tim nicknamed him “Stuffy”. Through high school and college hockey he became “Boone,” in men’s hockey “Nitch-Gee,” and more recently his pickleball nickname, “Puck,” stuck fast. In return, Steve delighted in giving so many people in his life their own nickname, always delivered with affection and humor. He was the guy-who-knows-a-guy, every dang time.

The day before he left us, he enjoyed the Kiwanis Lights one last time and was preparing for a winter stay in Isla Mujeres this January and February. Show us your signs whenever you can, and we will see you on the flipside, Steve! He is preceded in death by his father Steven Foley Neitge (2008) and his step father Mark Weinstein (2015). He is survived by his partner, MaryAnn Nelson; mother, Kathleen Weinstein (John Adolphson); siblings Lisa Neitge (Marty Larson), David Weinstein (Chelsea), Ben Neitge, and Lee Neitge (Joe Kempf); nieces and nephews Sidra and Eden Neitge, Violet and Teddy Weinstein, and Graham Kempf; aunt Libby Stubbe (Scott) and uncle, Timothy Robert Olson (Sonali); lifelong friends Terry Steffen and Tim Morales.

Memorials may be made in Steve’s honor to the ECHO Food Shelf. A celebration of Steve’s life, “A Night for Nitch-Gee,” will be held at Hooligan’s in Mankato, MN on Saturday, January 31, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to midnight. Celebration sharing will be 6-8 p.m. with live music by “Traffic Jam” from 8–11 p.m. All are welcome to come enjoy stories, laughter, music, and friendship—just as Steve would have wanted.