Steven Arley Mager, 73, of Waterloo, Iowa, died Wednesday, June 19, 2019, at ManorCare Health Services due to Type B Lymphoma Brain Cancer.

He was born November 1, 1945, in Waterloo, the son of Russell “Rusty” and Marie Rigdon Mager. Steve graduated from East High School in the 1963 and went on to study at the University of Northern Iowa and Hawkeye Community College.

He was a freelance artist and the founder and director of Waterloo’s 220 East Street, which was a music, art, and event center.

He is survived by a brother, Brent (Karen Carey) Mager of Oelwein‚ Iowa; two sisters, Becky (Jim) Dalluge of Waterloo and Anne Schoonover of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; several nieces and nephews; and an extended family of local as well as Facebook friends.

Steve is preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Brian R. Mager.

His creativity left its mark on the city, from the painted swirls on the Fourth Street Bridge to the 220 East building, which served as an eclectic space for art galleries, artists and musicians. Steve enjoyed renting the space to musicians, artists, performers and anyone who needed it. It was the embodiment of his creative vision for downtown.

Steve’s life outside the Midwest was instrumental to his growth as an artist and individual. After years of travel, he eventually returned to Waterloo.

He had a global network and though he lived in Waterloo, communicated with friends around the world.

Steve loved planting flowers and trees. He owned a small property outside of town on the Cedar River that he visited each summer and planted trees. He was always envisioning new ideas for the Waterloo community and was passionate to see it grow as a center for art and creativity.

Excerpts from Courier article written by intern Allison Mazzarella