DESCRIPTION
BIO
HOW TO
HELP
HELP
BOOK
REVIEWS
REVIEWS
PRESS &
INTERVIEWS
INTERVIEWS
Steve Havertz is the father of Emmalee Havertz, who died from a rare form of liver cancer on October 1, 2009.
She was only nine-years-old when her body could no longer fight of this horrible disease.
He has been happily married to Kara Havertz since 2005 and has three other children:
Matthew - 20, Krystal - 18, and Carston - 2.
Steve has been in the mental health field since 1988 and has been counseling individuals and families since that time.
However, his passion is writing and speaking.
Steve has had a unique set of challenges in his life but has found ways to share his experiences to help others.
He is a powerful speaker and uses stories and metaphors to drive his points home to his listeners.
He loves to speak about issues surrounding grief and loss and has a strong desire to bring more awareness to pediatric cancers.
He believes a cure for cancer is around the corner.
He loves the outdoors and the peacefulness of nature.
He loves a good thriller movie and sometimes loves to be scared or startled by a movie.
This is his second published work and he hopes to write many more books utilizing his expertise in the mental health field and his own life experiences.
These are organizations who are on the front lines helping to find a cure for pediatric cancers.
Please support their efforts in finding a cure.
Thanks --- Steve
Thanks --- Steve
- "I read your book and wanted you to know how touched I was. It has wonderful insight on how to talk to families that lose a loved one. I appreciated that you shared your experience with us. She was/is a very special person. and she touched my life. I am passing the book around the office for others to read. It is very hard to lose a loved one but to lose a child is such a great loss. Again, thank you, and I hope your family will continue to heal." -- Sincerely, Sandy
- "Emmalee Havertz has made me realize that I need to spend and love every moment with my daughter and be the best parent I can possibly be! If you are a parent you should read Dragonfly Wings for Emmalee, it will seriously get you back in touch with reality and allow you to remember how special your children are even on the roughest of roughest nights! Go to Amazon and buy the book! You will laugh, cringe and cry, but you won't be disappointed!" -- Alisha
- "When I came across the videos of Emmalee on YouTube, I was heartbroken to see an innocent little girl lose her life to cancer. I was deeply touched by her story, and decided to write to her family to let them know how much their daughters story touched me. Her father introduced me to his book "Dragonfly Wings for Emmalee", and I became interested in reading the story of this cancer warriors remarkable story. A story about a child battling a dreadful disease, a story about a family who lost a daughter and sister. The cover of the book is a powerful portrait filled with beauty and hope. It is a book that will make you feel anger and deep sadness that an innocent child had to suffer horribly and pass away at such a tender age. It is a book that will make you never take good health or your loved ones for granted ever again. Most of all it is a book that will leave you in humble admiration for a brave warrior who is a wonderful example of how we must never lose hope, never lose our spirit no matter how much darkness we have to battle." -- Hedda
- "Today I am filled with so much love as I reflect on the life of my niece, Emmalee Havertz, who left this life just over two years ago after a year long battle with cancer. There is so much we don't understand about why things happen the way they do in life, and cancer is definitely one that produces questions. I am a better person because of her, and her story continues to inspire. I believe this was her mission, and she fulfilled it well. I invite all of you, my friends, to learn of her story told by her father Steve Havertz, husband to my sister Kara Havertz, in the book "Dragonfly Wings for Emmalee". This book inspires feelings of Christlike love and service, gives insight to some of life's questions, and reminds us of what Christlike service is and gives insight into some of life's questions and what really matters in life." -- Nate W
- "I've just finished the book, and am awestruck... I can't begin to express how I feel about it. It seems as if every page told a story of it's own, or brought back some memory (both good and bad) from my past that I could relate to and learn from. Each page has some important concepts that I needed to learn or remember. One of the topics that especially touched me was the chapter on letting the person know that "It’s OK to let go". I highly recommend this book to anyone who is dealing with a loved one who has, or has lost a loved one from this dreaded disease." -- Judy H
- "I could have read it from start to finish in a day if "life" didn't get in the way. I couldn't put it down! I've put off sending you feedback because I am at a loss for words to tell you how this book made me feel. As a parent of 3 of my own children I can only imagine the void I would have in my life without one of them. But the book was written in a way that I was able to feel maybe a fraction of the intense pain, long suffering, healing, & most importantly the love our Savior has for each of us. It touched me to the core. I believe that Emm and I could sit and chat for hours about our love of food together! She is a kindred spirit to me where that's concerned." -- Aimee
- "Loving the book! I've shed a lot of tears already and I've only had it for a few hours. Thank you so much. Merry Christmas!" -- Heather M
- "I received your book for Christmas and spent the afternoon reading it. Wow!! What an amazing journey you and your family have been through, I'm in awe of your ability to stay positive and being such a huge source of strength for your Emmalee. I'm blessed to have a healthy family and like you a testimony of our Savior, may he continue to bless you and bring you comfort!" -- Barbi
- "Just finished reading your book. Loved it!!! It truly inspired me and I think everyone should read it. Thanks for writing it and sharing your personal experiences and thoughts." -- Mary Ann
- "I just read your book and I’m so glad you wrote it! It is a very powerful book. I didn’t want to stop reading (except to blow my nose and compose myself after agood cry). I just fell in love with Emm! I had to stop reading a few times (okay all through the book) because I kept crying but it was well worth it. I’m glad you wrote so openly and honestly. It felt like you really put your heart into it. When I was reading and even now just thinking about Emm I can feel her love and it makes my eyes water. Thank you writing this and allowing us (the world) to read it." -- Michelle
- "Friends, this is a MUST read book. I just finished it myself and it is life changing...I highly recommend ordering it." -- DeAnn
- "Just finished the book!! AMAZING!! Thanks for sharing such a tender part of your life! I know that Emm is near your family and is so proud of all the good you are doing in her name! Thanks again Steve! God bless you and your sweet family!" -- Jodi
- "This is an amazing story of a courageous little girl named Emmalee. Her dad Steve Havertz is the author of this book that tells about the life and death of his daughter who passed away at the tender age of 9. Sweet Emmalee has been an inspiration and has touched so many lives around the world. What a great gift for Christmas! Love the cover."
- "Steve I sat down and read Emmalee's book from cover to cover in a couple of days and I am so at a loss for words to describe how it made me feel. What a wonderful book Steve, thank you so much with your courage to write it and to get it published, and to share this very painful part of yourself. I feel like I've known you my whole life. Much love and gratitude, and for a very beautiful 2012!" -- Suzy
- "Steve, Great book, I couldn't put it down. Thanks for writing it. I think it will help a lot of people." -- Jolene
- "I could not put it down, even though I knew the story." -- My own mother
- "Steve I loved your book! It was so touching." -- Ashlee R
- "I read it in one sitting as well. You and Kara are amazing parents. I admire your strength." -- Amy B
- "I just read this book about an amazing, brave little girl and her sweet family and their experience with cancer. You will LOVE this book!" -- Kelly G
- "I just finished reading Dragonfly Wings for Emmalee. I am amazed at your insights and honesty and humility at telling your and Emmalee's story. I really appreciated your wisdom and great ideas at the end of the book regarding how to talk to people who are grieving and what to say and not to say. Death is something EVERY single one of us have to deal with at one time or another but most of us are not very good at it. I REALLY feel it is important that people can express their feelings with one another as that shows our empathy and humanity." -- Julia B
- "Steve, I just finished Emmalee's book. I couldn't put it down. I am so impressed by the way you fully expressed yourself. I think most people would avoid this for the fear of feeling vulnerable. It made me realize the whole experience wasn't just Emmalee's mission but your mission as well. You have created such a great tool to help others cope and heal." -- Jana M
- "We truly loved reading the book. It is full of love, compassion, grace, endurance and devotion of much time. You and your family certainly gave your all." -- Gene and Sandy
- "Steve, I just finished your book. Wow! Beautifully written. I cried all through it and was amazed at what you have been through. I'm amazed at you, Kara's, AND your children's stamina through all this. You're amazing and I'm truly grateful for the reminder to hug my kids a little more. Well done! I'm telling others about your book." -- Tammy C
- "A sweet, heart-wrenching book about my little cousin. I didn't get to know her like I would have liked, but she will forever leave an impression of her strong will and sweet sweet personality." -- Julie P
Press About Emmalee's Book
Television Interviews
Radio Interviews
- Ensign Magazine (Feb. 2013): "Lifting the Hands Which Hang Down."
- Standard-Examiner: "ON A DRAGONFLY'S WINGS: Grief counselor has firsthand experience with loss, recovery after losing wife and daughter."
- Deseret News: "Father Shares Memories of Daughter Emmalee and Gives Advice on Grieving."
- Deseret News: "When Grieving the Loss of a Child, 'Feeling is Healing'."
Television Interviews
- ABC 4 News: "Dealing With The Holiday Blues."
- KSL News: "Father, Social Worker Writes Book about Daughter's Battle with Cancer."
- Fox 13 News: "Author Pulls from Personal Loss to Help Others with Grief."
Radio Interviews
- Jordana Green Show, WCCO News Radio 830 (Moose Miller)
- The Changing Behavior Network -- Grief: What’s The Prognosis? (Part 1)
- The Changing Behavior Network -- Grief: What’s The Prognosis? (Part 2)
- KSL Radio (Paul Nelson, 03/27/2012)
- KSFI FM100 (Childhood Cancer)
- KZHT 97.1 Morning Zoo Show (03/20/2012)


