Longtime Santa Clarita resident Steve Hanauer – the “Steve” in Steve’s Valencia Florist – died Wednesday night from complications stemming from a fall he sustained the previous day.
Not just a florist, Hanauer was also a fixture in the Santa Clarita community, known for his generous support of local charities including the SCV Senior Center and the SCV Boys and Girls Club.
“He was very proud of this valley,” said his widow, Jan Hanauer. “He loved the people. He was very prominent with the ‘old-school Santa Clarita’ community and was always willing to help.”
The local entrepreneur owned and operated Steve’s Florist since 1974 – which makes it the oldest full-service flower shop in Santa Clarita. Prior to the Santa Clarita location, Hanauer owned flower shops in San Fernando and Brentwood.
The business expanded at one point to three locations in the Santa Clarita Valley, but Jan Hanauer said they later decided to dwindle it down to one – the original and current location on Lyons Avenue in Newhall. “One was easier to maintain,” she said.
Patti Rasmussen, a Santa Clarita arts commissioner, said Hanauer was the florist who serviced her wedding 40 years ago. Rasmussen remembers a kind man who would annually remind her husband to send her flowers when their anniversary was drawing near.
“He liked to tease my husband Charlie every year when he forgot our anniversary,” she said.
Rasmussen also remembers the flowers and card Hanauer sent her when her fourth son, Steven, was born: “Finally, you named one after me.”
“I think that’s what I’ll miss most about him,” Rasmussen said, “He had a wicked sense of humor.”
Jan Hanauer credits the longevity of the business to her husband’s hard work.
“Steve took pride in this,” she said. “Being in this business is a lot of hard work. A lot of hard work. But he knew the kind of joy it brought to people. It’s a very rewarding job, and he loved it.”
Services for Hanauer are being planned. He was 76.
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98 Comments
He was such a nice man. Prayers to his family ?
Paula Morey-McElhinney Michelle James Debra L Noe
Sad
Sharon Duggins Fowler Alexis Soto
Ooooh no! He was such a sweet guy! God bless him and his family.
So sad. I’ve known Steve my entire life. When I was a little girl, my Mom and I would walk to the florist every week and get a single carnation. Years and years every week.
So sorry for you loss??
Oh my gosh is this the gentleman that Gerry knew so well At The Florist?
Yes
So sorry for your loss , Steve used to bring in special arrangements for the Kaiser lab staff and he made arrangements for us during the holidays that were gorgeous ?. He was a very special man? very sorry for your loss ?
He used to bring me flowers in the 2nd floor pharmacy. Years ago, now. Such a nice man.
A very nice man. Always helpful and ran a good business. Condolences to the family ???
R.I.P.
Mom Jan Hanauer
Such sad news, Steve is such an important part of our family as my father and him were business owner side-by-side for so many years on Lyons Ave. prayers to Jan and the rest of the family
So sorry to hear this. They are the best florist in SCV. Sending prayers to his family.
My condolences to the family. Very wonderful man.
Sorry for your loss. Prayers. Steve let my granddaughter come in and shadow when she was taking the ROP florist class. He was very kind and helpful. Can’t believe it.
Great Guy RIP Steve ?❤️?
Such a kind gentleman, I hope there are beautiful flowers in heaven all around you. Prayers to the family.
So sad…he was such a kind man.
I loved walking into his flower shop. Very generous with local charities. Steve will be missed for certain by many in the SCV.
Pam Norman
This is really sad!
This is really sad!
He was such a nice man!
So sorry to hear of his passing. He was a true gentleman and always enjoyed a chat.
Prayers
I was so sad when I heard tonight that Steve passed away. He truly was the nicest man ever.. he always remembered me with flowers for several holidays from him and Jan. Said it was for the great service he received from me at Kaiser lab.Steve and Jan felt like family to me after all these years. My prayers go out to both of them and I thank God I was given the honor to know him and his wife. He will be missed.
Prayers and Condolences to Steve’s family.. Wonderful floral designer.. He did he flowers for my wedding in 1987.. Beautiful!
Steve was always a kind gentleman. I first met him in 1975. Helped him purchase a new Chevy Van.
I bought bright red roses every year for my my wife Loretta. One for each year.
He was so involved @ giving to the community. I’ve loved him always. Prayers to all the family. RIP Steve
Such heart breaking news. My condolences and prayers to the family. He was a great man and will be deeply missed.
This is a loss for the community. He was super nice and always treated me well.
This is a loss for the community. He was super nice and always treated me well.
Kathleen Forbes Isn’t this who we used to use at SST?
Kathleen Forbes Isn’t this who we used to use at SST?
John McElhinney
Thanks for sending this Renae. I worked with him in 1969 in Granada Hills. He was a good guy.
I called Gerry to be sure she knew. He was a nice guy. Very sad.
John McElhinney
Thanks for sending this Renae. I worked with him in 1969 in Granada Hills. He was a good guy.
I called Gerry to be sure she knew. He was a nice guy. Very sad.
He was always so kind to me, when I’d walk to his shop to by flowers for my mom when I was a child.
He was always so kind to me, when I’d walk to his shop to by flowers for my mom when I was a child.
RIP
RIP
This saddens me. I’ve been going to him since we moved here in 1985
This saddens me. I’ve been going to him since we moved here in 1985
So very sorry for your loss. You’re in our thoughts. ❤️
So very sorry for your loss. You’re in our thoughts. ❤️
Very kind man. He will be missed!!!!
Very kind man. He will be missed!!!!
My condolences R.I.P
My condolences R.I.P
SORRY TO HEAR THIS. i first met Steve when he was just startimg out 40 years ago. RIP Steve!
SORRY TO HEAR THIS. i first met Steve when he was just startimg out 40 years ago. RIP Steve!
??? Steve was a wonderful human being and a great community supporter. He will be so missed. My condolences to his family.
??? Steve was a wonderful human being and a great community supporter. He will be so missed. My condolences to his family.
I’m so sorry n mother Roberta Veloz for your loss ?we are thinking about you jean n your family RIP we love you guys be strong❤️??
I’m so sorry n mother Roberta Veloz for your loss ?we are thinking about you jean n your family RIP we love you guys be strong❤️??
I’m so sad for Steve and his family :(
I’m so sad for Steve and his family :(
I got quite a few flowers from Steve’s! Great company! Sorry to hear he passed.
He donates pink flowers to the outpatient surgical unit after the pacient had their ports taken out as a way to give recognition for their fight against breast cancer.
Very sad news. He will be sincerely missed.
Received a floral arrangement when my son was born (13 years ago!) and have always fondly recalled such a beautiful bouquet. Nice gentleman. A big loss in our community.
I’m shocked with this news. I’ve known Steve a long time. And Steve’s Florist is iconic in our town. He’s going to be missed so much. Prayers to the family. I’m very sad.
Steve would take phone calls even after they closed in the night to send flowers all around the country for our family. So very sorry he passed.
A very Special fellow!!
Such sad news. Steve Hanauer was one the sweetest, most humble and altruistic gentlemen you could ever meet. He was a large part of what made the American Cancer Society SCV Unit’s annual Daffodil Days campaign a success. He literally turned his flower shop over to the ACS volunteers each year to bring spring’s floral cheer to oncology patients as we raised vital ACS funds (by selling the daffodils throughout the community). Those of us st ACS could never thank this man enough for his generosity and kindness. What a huge heart and good soul he possessed. My sincere condolences to his loved ones.
My sincere condolences to the family. Prayers.
R.i.P.
Valerie Balsz Shelton made me think if all the flowers Lynn sent you!!!
When my husband and I were dating, he would order a flower arrangement for my work station every week. Steves florist did the most beautiful arrangements. They also did our flowers for our wedding in 1995. I’m so sorry to hear of his passing. Our sincere condolences.
He was so kind to my parents and me when we bought flowers for my brother’s funeral. SCV lost a true community hero. RIP Steve. You will be missed.
Steve was a great guy, he did the flowers for our wedding and my daughter
learned to be a floral designer while working at Steve’s. We had another daughter who worked at Steve’s for a while and then my husband delivered flowers for Steve’s. He has touched our family in a great way. We send our love and prayers to his sweet wife and family.
Many beautiful flowers from such a great guy! Prayer for the family.
Steve was a wonderful man. My husband, Micah and I, owned a print shop and did Steve’s printing. It was always a pleasure to deliver his work. He always had a smile on his face. Our hearts go out to his family.
So sad to hear this ?. I loved going in to get my greenery from Steve. He was always so sweet and would give my daughter a flower each time she would go with me ? Hugs and Prayers to the family
Steve was a wonderful active member in our town. He contributed much and will be missed.
Oh no, so sad to hear. He was such a kind man. Will be praying for his family.
God Bless Steve❤️family gardenia lady
So sorry to hear this. He was such a kind person.
Aww…. RIP.
I first met Steve and Bonnie in about 1974 when we all moved into the new American Beauty homes off Bouquet Canyon. We were all part of such a great neighborhood. Steve asked me to work for them at Maclay Florist as a “bookkeeper”. Lots of fun. He will be missed.
Beth Stokes ??
We loved Steve.
All the tributes were so forthcoming **
I Ditto everyone of them**
So sorry to hear this. We knew Steve when he and my husband were in the local Jaycees in the l970s. We have kept in touch since then; but probably not enough ;-( He was always generous with Zonta when we needed flowers for a special event. He will be sadly missed.
My heart is broken for his wife and kids. Our kids went to Valencia high together. I recently lost my husband. I feel your pain. ?
So sad. Prayers to his family?
What a loss… Steve was so great with my daughter this past prom season helping her and her friends pick out boutonnieres for their dates…and same with my son in previous years…Steve was a great gentleman… Special thoughts and thank yous to his family for sharing Steve him with all of us for so many wonderful years… He will be thought of often, and always with great affection… The angels have a new florist to point them in the right direction…
So sorry to hear this. He was such a nice guy. We purchased flowers from him for many years. My condolences goes out to his family.
I was just here a week ago. God bless you Steve. You were super awesome and most helpful.
Sorry to hear… good man
So sorry! We got flowers for our 50th anniversary, wonderful job, wonderful man! God bless the family.
He will be missed! I was just in there a few weeks ago
Steve, was a very kind man. He helped us send flowers during happy and sad occasions. There’s such an emptiness knowing that he’s gone from our community.