Steven Ho

With his beloved wife, Rose, holding his hand, Steven Y. Ho mercifully and peacefully made it home to be with Lord on February 18, 2021.

Sadness quickly turned to reflection, gratitude, and appreciation for a remarkable life that Hollywood would beg to write a screenplay. Steven was known for his sense of humor and storytelling. Not that there would be a point to some of the stories but rather the feeling you got to be told a story by Steven. Everyone who met Steven instantly liked him.

Steven Ho was born in Shanghai, China on September 10, 1934 to a family of wealth and influence. Steven was the first of four sons to his father, General Ho Chi Wu who served directly under General Chiang Kai Shek, and mother Suzy Yuan Ho. When the communist occupied  mainland China, Steven’s family immigrated to Taiwan.

In Taiwan, Steven went all out to court local beauty, Rose Tsou. They married on November 9, 1957. First son Sam was born in 1958. Steven had the opportunity to come to the United States and attend American University in Washington, DC….however, he could not bring his young family. He left behind his one-year son and pregnant wife to pave the way for the rest of his family to the United States. He did not see his family for four years. He was in an unfamiliar country, a different culture, and had to learn a new language.

Steven finally brought his family to the United States in 1965 and finally met his 4 year-old daughter, Anita for the first time.

In 1972 son, Gordon, arrived to complete Steven and Rose’s family and the real  fun began. Steven moved his family to Kansas City in 1975. Steven and Rose opened up their first Chinese Restaurant called Confucius Kitchen, located in Overland Park.The restaurant was a local staple for many years.

Steven and Rose later operated Fu Man Chu… a before its time fast food Chinese restaurant with a drive through window serving excellent chinese food at a reasonable price.

In Steven and Rose’s later years, they served as door greeters at Sam’s Club and proudly told stories about their 9 grandkids.

Steven lived a remarkable life. He paved the way and delivered an opportunity that we do not measure by money but rather by friendships, laughs, respect, loyalty, and family. Any less means you didn’t get to know Steven Ho. Cheers dad, we celebrate you.

Steven is preceded in death by his father Ho Chin Wu, mother Susy Yuan Ho, and brother Jimmy Ho.

Steven is survived by Rose, his wife  of 63 years, son Samuel, daughter Anita Hilpertshauser (Mark), and son Gordon (Kim). His nine grandchildren Alison Ho (Justin Groenewold), Sam Ho, jr (Pricilla), Sydney Weishaar (Louis), Jacob Hilpertshauser, Matt Hilpertshauser, Anna Hilpertshauser, Stella Ho, Maxwell Ho, and Lila Ho. His great grandchild Helen Groenwold.

His brothers Fred Ho of Houston and Richard Ho of San Diego.

A private family memorial will be scheduled at a later date.