Veteran Fonter Park Grand Island, Neb., broadcaster Steve Anderson died on May 16. He was 69 years old.
Anderson, who has battled prostate cancer, began his 19th season of racing at his local track in February. In an obituary, his family noted that Anderson spent the last weeks of his life just as he’d lived most of it: talking about sports, especially complaining about the condition of his ball. Nebraska Cornhuskers Stone.
With a degree in broadcast journalism from the University of Nebraska, Anderson has worked in various sports broadcasting jobs in the state for many years. In 2004, he agreed to become a broadcaster for Fonner Park.
His family notes that horse racing has always been in Anderson’s blood, as he grew up idolizing his late grandfather Garnett Phifer from Red Cloud, Neb., a thoroughbred trainer. For 19 years, Anderson covered Fonner’s spring meetup, with additional attendances at Horsemen Park in Omaha, State Fair Park in Lincoln, Prairie grasslands in Des Moines, Iowa, and Canterbury Park in Shakopee, Minn.
Anderson created old lines in his own style, using “pickin ’em up and layin’ ’em down” and “it’s a ding-dong battle for the lead” among others to entice. Fonter crowd. Steve’s passion for horse racing shines through through the intercom, and it’s a job he cherishes until his final day on April 2 at “The Fon”.
Racing at Fonter Park
The Celebration of Life Service will be held on May 26 at 3 p.m. CST at the Bosselman Convention Center in Fonner Park.
Anderson was born to Jerry and Shirley Anderson in 1953 on Grand Island. He graduated from Grand Island High School in 1971 and the University of Nebraska in 1975.
Anderson spent 4 months working in Sidney, Neb., at KSID Radio, then signed on as sports director for Channel 13 NTV in Kearney, Neb. Five years later, he moved to KHAS Channel 5 in Hastings in a similar role. Both broadcaster jobs gave Anderson the opportunity to interview the likes of Tom Osborne, George Brett and Reggie Jackson, cover Kearney State’s surprise run to the 1978 NAIA basketball championship game and participate joined the Big 8 Skywriters tour.
In 1982, Anderson left television and joined his father in running Skate Island, a family-owned roller skating rink on Grand Island. For nearly 40 years, Anderson has presided over countless chicken dances and medley competitions, distributed countless soccer balls prizes, and hosted thousands of birthday parties. Anderson remained the proud owner and operator of Skate Island until that business was dissolved following a roof collapse in February 2021.
Anderson is survived by his wife, Kathy (Eriksen) Anderson, with whom he shared 20 years of marriage; two children, Neysha Whiten and Ryan (Carmen) Anderson; three stepson, Anne Sorensen, Trevor Sorensen, and Kyle (Brandee) Argent; and eight grandchildren, Kyan, Aiden, Kayah, Lily, Talia, Sydney, David and Daniel. Steve is also survived by his ex-wife Karen (Brokering) Anderson, the mother of his children; his two older sisters, Sheri Hack and Kathy Davis; and his father Jerry. He was killed by his uncle Ardent Phifer and his mother Shirley.
Father Richard Piontkowski will celebrate his upcoming birthday. The family will greet friends after the ceremony. A private burial will take place at Loup Fork Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Anderson’s honor to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Foundation.
