The Man Who Rebuilt The Dream...
Who was Steve Wells...
Steve Wells entered the world on August 12, 1965, at Russell City Hospital in Russell, KS, to parents Marion “Smokey” Lee Wells and Diana Lynn Mai (Milberger). Growing up in Russell, he graduated from Russell High School in 1983 and pursued his passion for auto mechanics at Salina Vo Tech, inspired by his Grandpa Jake Milberger.
On February 18, 1995, Steve married Melinda Suzanne Keberlein in Russell. He dedicated himself to his community, founding the Keep the Dream Alive initiative and serving 26 years with the City of Russell. His passion, vision, and tireless commitment brought immense joy, especially through his work at the Dream Theatre.
A devoted father and grandfather, Steve adored his grandchildren and cherished every moment spent with them. He had a special love for Halloween and a knack for making people laugh. His enthusiasm for Fireball whiskey was unmatched, and if you ask some board members, they might share a story or two about his legendary antics.
His absence will be profoundly felt, and Halloween won’t be the same without him. However, his legacy will continue to shine in all we do. His dream lives on in each of us, inspiring us to carry forward the spirit he embodied.
Steve made a big impact on so many people.
Here are some of those stories..
Dylan Riedel says...
Words can’t even describe the man that Steve Wells was. Sometimes in life, we tend to think life is unfair, the hand we are dealt should have gone to someone else. Steve was dealt one of the crappiest hands you could have gotten and yet, he acted like he had a royal flush. Steve had an amazing heart and cared deeply about his family, and his extended family at the Dream & Fire Department. I had the privilege of meeting Steve when I was in middle school. He taught me a lot about volunteering and giving back to our community. He taught me a love for movies and a love for the Dream Theater. I never knew, that being a punk kid getting yelled at the Dream for being loud or running around would bring me closer to a man that I barely knew. I got to grow up around Steve, have long talks about life with Steve, and just learn how to be a better person because of Steve. He loved movies and loved embracing his weird side. Some of the things he would send via text or messenger were often not safe for work. I would sometimes cringe when his name pops up and it would be something that I knew I couldn’t open around anyone else. His sense of humor was much like my own, dark and twisted. He cared so deeply about this community and everything in it. Steve was a mentor, a friend, and more importantly, a brother. There will never be another man like Steve and I know, Russell is a better place because of him and I am a better person because of him. I will make sure to make one last “popcorn soup” for you brother! I love you Steve and am going to miss you! Please watch over all of us!
Damian Morgenstern says...
Steve Wells had a special love for Halloween and horror movies, and that’s how I first met him many years ago while working in a haunted house. He and Melinda welcomed our little group with open arms, treating us like their own “kids.” Steve’s vision for the Dream Theater was a bold one, and despite many doubting it would work, he made that dream a reality. Next year, in 2025, his dream will celebrate 25 years—a testament to his determination and creativity. Steve was well-liked by everyone I know, and his impact on our community will always be remembered.
Ron Brown says...
My favorite Dream memory of Steve is a collection of memories rolled into one. On some Fridays, when it was his night to work at the theater, he would swing by the fridge and grab drinks for us. We would sit at the round table, talking about Halloween, his annual costume party, theater business, and the movie industry. We had drinks and just enjoyed the moment. Wherever Steve was, there was always a good time. I will miss that.
Donnie Revell says...
My sympathy for the loss of a husband, dad, bother, son and friend. I did not know Steve as well as others, but I remember a man who placed family, and community at the top of his priority's. He is a person that it can be said the world was better off for him to have lived his life to the best of his ability, always with a drive to never give up on anything he was involved in. I recall when the Dream Theatre was reopened, it was rumored that we would only make it 6 months., and he made sure that never can came true, and because of him as the leader, and others the Dream will be alive as long as there are movies to be seen. He will be greatly missed.
Lisa Hunter says...
Although I never had the pleasure of meeting Steve, I feel like I have known him my entire life. I moved to Russell a little over three years ago and started volunteering at The Dream Theater. I have heard countless stories, memories, and tales about Steve, both through the theater and my employment with the City. When I became a board member for the theater in February of 2024, Steve’s name was mentioned a lot. It seems that at every board meeting, every discussion, every time we have to make a decision, it is as if he is right there with us. He has touched so many lives, even those that he has never met. I may not have had the honor of meeting him, but I will do my best in honoring his legacy, and as a board member, I will do my best with helping to keep his Dream alive.
Andrea Garland says...
One of the reasons my family decided to move to Russell was the Dream Theatre. I volunteered there for many years before being invited to join the board. Steve was an incredible leader and friend. The Dream flourished under his direction.
He pushed me out of my comfort zone by asking me to be interviewed on KRSL's People in the News for an upcoming outdoor movie event. I reluctantly agreed, thinking I would be alone for the interview. However, when I arrived at KRSL, Steve was in the lobby waiting for me. I was relieved to see him. Steve escorted me the long way around to the recording studio for our interview with David Elliott, who jokingly called me "Wilson" because he couldn't see me over his monitor. After the interview, I asked Steve why he didn't lead me directly into the studio. He confessed that he didn't want me to see the video camera. I didn't know we would be on cable TV. The following year, I made him go back to KRSL by himself.
Steve loved promoting movies at the Dream Theatre. One of the most memorable promotions was when we dressed up as Pennywise and Georgie and tied red balloons around town before the show. Police were informed just in case they received calls from concerned citizens. We certainly attracted attention on Wichita and Main Street that week.
I will cherish the time spent working alongside him every Friday night, helping to "Keep the Dream Alive."
Lisa Anstaett says...
My favorite Dream story with the legend, Steve Wells, is from working a children’s movie with him. If you knew Steve, you would know that he was all about fun and living life. He worked hard but lived life. At this movie, a boy about 10 years old walked up to the counter to get concessions. Steve asked him what kind of soda he would like with his popcorn combo. The boy looked at Steve and thought about it. He said that his mom would probably want him to get Sprite. Steve asked him what he really wanted, and the kid said Mellow Yellow was what he liked. Steve leaned over the counter and told the boy, “Well, mom’s not here, is she?” So, he filled his cup with Mellow Yellow and left a huge smile on that kid’s face. Steve’s light-hearted rebellion showed his mischievous side, but also how much he loved to bring happiness and fun to people’s lives. It is stories like this that keep his spirit alive in everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him. We will continue to KEEP THE DREAM ALIVE, bringing joy to Russell for generations to come, just as Steve would have wanted. We love you and will miss you always, Steve.
Shawnna Dick says...
Steve Wells' dedication to the Russell community was truly unparalleled. His passion for the fire department, the Dream Theater, and his family was evident to all who knew him. One of my favorite memories of Steve is from my childhood when he lived just down the street from my home. Every time I walked past his house, he would greet me with a warm smile and chat about his daughters, Lindsay and Rachel, if they weren't already outside with him on the porch. The love he had for his girls was clear in the way his face lit up when he talked about them. Steve was 100% genuine in everything he did, driven by a true love for life and the people he cherished.
Alyssa Hunter says...
I never got to meet Steve, but knowing how much he made everyone's life just a little bit better, just shows me how amazing of a man I missed out on meeting was. Not one person has a single bad thing to say about Steve Wells.
Steve was a hardworking man who's love for so many things made him such a lovable person. His hard work to make The Dream all that it is today will never be forgotten. He is one of the reasons The Dream still stands, and we hope that it stands for much longer.
We will never forget you Steve Wells, thank you for everything!