Stephen Eugene Radnich AKA Steve Rains
Steve passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 05, 2016. Steve was born on June 6, 1926 in the little town of Tukwila, WA; just south of Seattle, to Stephen and Virginia Radnich. He attended Foster grade school. While in the fourth grade he took up the Trombone. While in high school, as a junior, he had a nine-piece band which played every Friday and Saturday night. In 1944 when he graduated from High School; he went into the United States Navy. After boot camp they sent him into Alameda N/A/S in California. At this point they put him in a 16-piece band – they had several station and U.S.D.’s parties to play for each month. After the war over he went to college at the University of Puget sound in Tacoma, WA. After Studying to be a teacher, he decided it was not for him. While in college, Steve was hired by the Foster Presbyterian Church to direct the forty to forty fiver person choir each Sunday. They were so good that he directed them for seven years until he was in the was in the restaurant business and didn’t have time for everything. Later he decided if he was going to stay in the music business, he would have to take up something where he could play alone or with one or two people. SO he bought a Hammond organ and learned how to play it. One year later he went to work playing. Sometime later his agent sent him to Helena, MT to play at the “Golden Castle” where he met Phyllis who he married and spent the rest of his life here.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Phyllis, of 47 years; his mother, father and siblings, Bob, Jack, and his dog, Sam. Phyllis and Steve had a very good 47 years together and are now in a better place.
A memorial service celebrating Steve’s life will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 11th at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. A coffee and cookie reception will follow the memorial service in the social hall at the funeral home. Burial will follow the reception at Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to the Lewis and Clark Humane Society, P.O. Box 4455, Helena, MT 59604. Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Steve.
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
1:00 p.m.
Tuesday October 11, 2016
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the service
Tuesday October 11, 2016
Social hall of Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial with Military Honors
Following the Reception
Tuesday October 11, 2016
Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery
7100 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
1:00 p.m.
Tuesday October 11, 2016
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the service
Tuesday October 11, 2016
Social hall of Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial with Military Honors
Following the Reception
Tuesday October 11, 2016
Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery
7100 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
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Jeanne Naegele Kohal says
I’m so sorry to hear of Steve’s passing. He was a wonderful man and musician, and will always have a special place in my heart when I think of him and Pee Wee Weber looking down together from Heaven remembering a little girl who loved to sit and watch them play at The Montana Club. For almost fifty years, without fail, no matter what the time of year and what song they would be playing at the time, as soon as I entered the club with my family for dinner, the current song would stop and they would serenade my entrance playing “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”….every single time, no matter how much time had passed since I last was there… for just a split second I was that little six year old girl again. My prayers go out to Steve’s family…and whenever I hear that special song, I will remember this special man .
Laura Fix says
God’s speed Mr. Radnich……a really good man from the great generation……
Mark Viergutz says
I am very sad to hear of Steve’s passing. I had the pleasure of getting to know him and call a friend for the last 10 years or so. We spent many hours appreciating his music along with Blackie Nelson and other wonderful Helena musicians at the MT. Club and other locations. Steve was cantankerous, ornrey and always had a joke. His music provided solace to many a soul. He missed Phyllis every day of his life and is now with her again. Enjoy your new life, my friend.
Betty & John Brewer says
We are so sorry to hear of Steves passing. He was blesssed with such a gift for music and We remember many times hearing him play at the Montana Club. John would always talk to him on his break and catch up with what he was doing. He was always a very sweet and friendly man who loved to see people smile and sing along with him. We are blessed to have known him and had the pleasure of listening to him play. He will be missed. Now he is with his beloved wife and family and will undoubtedly be heading up the magestic choir in Heaven. Our condolences to his family and friends. May he fly with the angels and play his music forever with Jesus.
John Shearer, Gwen Chambers says
We were saddened by the passing of Steve. We had the pleasure of sharing his life and music at Hunters Point. We had the opportunity to visit NYC and thanks to Steve’s advice, were able to visit music haunts he recommended. His commitment to playing at Happy Hour each week and providing entertainment to all the residents will never be forgotten. We play his CD which he sent to us “kids” plays throughout our building in Albuquerque. We will miss his sense of humor and a superior man but his music will live forever.
Tom and Rita Piocos` says
We are so happy to have gotten to know you, Phyllis and Sam. We have enjoyed making music with you for the past 15 years. You, your quick whit, and your stories, will be missed. We are so blessed to have been taken into your family of musical friends. We will miss you, but you are where you told us you wanted to be, with your Mom, Dad, Phyllis and Sam. God Bless,
Tom and Rita Piocos
Marianne Polk Wright says
I will always remember his beautiful music at the Montana Clib and also The Elks Club. Visited him and Phyllis many times in their home. They were wonderful people. God Bless and RIP Steve. Marianne Polk
Marianne Polk Wright says
I will always remember his beautiful music at The Montana Club and also The Elks Club. Visited him and Phyllis many times in their home. That were wonderful people. God Bless and RIP Steve. Sincerely, Marianne Polk Wright.
Don Stone says
I knew Steve Rains for many years before I realized his last name was really Radnich. Steve was a true professional in his musical field and I always admired his upbeat spirit and approach to playing. We played many times together. He was always so complimentary of other’s talents and made every effort to welcome younger and less experienced musicians such as myself. I will miss Steve and always remember him fondly.
Clyde & Sally angove says
I had the pleasure of getting to know Steve when he was the building manager of the Atlas Block from 1999 until he retired from that position. I was the treasurer for Upper Missouri Artists Gallery which rented the main floor under the arch of the building and had some great visits with him. He shared his wonderful musical talent with us for several special receptions and have missed listening to him play. I wish I had gotten to know Phyllis better as she was another wonderful person.
Kim Brown says
Steve,
You are and were my mentor, teacher and good friend. My dad Gene Brown, who also drummed with Steve, introduced me to Steve in or around 1971 – 1972. Steve helped me get my first big job working as his drummer for many years at the Montana Club back in around 1971. Then we worked many jobs off and on and finally at the Colonial Inn before my departure from Helena in 1980. My dear brother Kerry took the lead on drums and had the privilege of working with Steve for many years prior to his death last year. I’m sure they are making great music together once again. Thanks for your good friendship Steve! I will miss you.
Dana Moyer says
I met Steve during the years I worked in the activity department at the Cooney home. The residents always loved to hear him play and I did too. I will miss his love of life and wonderful smile.