SFC Jered Steck’s father, Andy Steck, far left, painted the White Rock rock in honor of his retirement from the U.S. Army after 20 years of service and his return to Los Alamos Sunday. Jered Steck and his wife Kiersten, son Ethan and daughter Ainsley stopped by the rock Monday to check it out. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com
The Stecks gather for a photo on SFC Jered Steck’s last day in uniform after 20 years of service. Courtesy photo
BY MAIRE O’NEILL
maire@losalamosreporter.com
Los Alamos native Jered Steck has returned home after retiring from the U.S. Army, bringing with him his wife, Kiersten, son Ethan and daughter Ainsley. Steck started out in the army as a combat engineer. Following basic training he went to Fort Lewis, Washington, where he met Kiersten.
Steck went on to serve at Fort Carson, Colo., Fort Drum, New York and Fort Bragg, North Carolina before returning to Fort Lewis for the last 10 years as a member of the Special Forces.
His brother Terrance passed away in September 2020 and his mother Kathy passed away just last May. Kathy Steck owned and operated Kathy Steck Farmer’s Insurance and Kiersten took over the business after Kathy’s death. The deaths of Terrance and Kathy played in role in Jered’s decision to retire and move back to Los Alamos.
“I’m grateful that my family’s here at the end of this line. I’m grateful for the friends that I’ve made along the way and for the friends I have back here. Having come the full circle, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the fallen from the last 20 years, and working with all the amazing soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines and even civilians that I’ve met along the way, that were stand-up Americans.,” Steck said. “I’m looking forward to the future, and being with the family and seeing what Los Alamos brings.”
Kiersten Steck, who is also a U.S. Army veteran, served three years as a medic. She is excited about building up the Farmer’s Insurance business, being to know more people and getting involved in the community.
And of course Andy Steck is delighted to have Jered and his family back in Los Alamos and his painting of the rock shows the true pride he has in his son.
Jered and Kiersten Steck Monday afternoon in White Rock. Photo by Maire O[Neill/losalamosreporter.com