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| Dorothy Steinke |
Dorothy “Deb” Steinke
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| Robin J. Steinke, formerly a Gettysburg Seminary dean, is now the Luther Seminary president. |
June 17, 2009
New Ulm Dorothy "Deb" Steinke, 70, of New Ulm, died Monday, June 15, 2009 at the New Ulm Medical Center, surrounded by her family. Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, June 18 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in New Ulm with Rev. Todd Nelsen and Rev. Joyce Tollefson Capp officiating. Interment will take place at a later date at the New Ulm City Cemetery. Visitation will be 4:00 8:00 p.m. Wednesday and 7:00 8:30 a.m. Thursday at Schmucker Funeral Service in New Ulm and one hour prior to the service at the church.
Dorothy Eloise Buckley, the daughter of Edward and Rhea (Shamberg) Buckley, was born July 26, 1938 in San Diego, CA where she graduated from Herbert Hoover High School in 1956. Deb was united in marriage to Erwin "Fred" Steinke on February 24, 1956 at Scott Memorial Baptist Church in San Diego. The couple moved to New Ulm and Deb attended Mankato State University where she earned her bachelor's degree in 1991. Deb was a Social Worker for Brown County until her retirement in 1988. She was an active member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church in New Ulm where she served as a Sunday school teacher and was also on the Board of Stewardship and Board of Missions. Her church involvement was an important part of her life. Deb also served on the Habitat for Humanity Board and the Human Rights Commission. She was the Program Coordinator for Dinners for Shut Ins from 1992-1997 and served on the board until it was turned over to Senior Dining in 2009. Deb and Gail Ulrich started the Food Shelf in New Ulm. She and Bob Apitz turned an old Santa's Closet program into a good sustainable program. In 1990, Deb was named recipient of the KEYC TV Good People-Jefferson Award and the Roger J. Wolfe Achievement Award for community action people helping people. She also received commendation from Gov. Rudy Perpich in recognition of her work with the Brown County Family Service Center. Deb was an avid reader, gardener, loved nature and knitted prayer shawls. Deb and Fred were blest with 53 years of marriage. She cherished her beloved grandchildren and the time they spent together.
Survivors include her husband Fred; daughters Deborah Hemshrot of Paradise Valley, AZ,Robin Steinke of Gettysburg, PA; son Jay Steinke and his wife Kimberly of Sioux Falls, SD; six grandchildren; a great grandchild expected soon; sister Roberta Herrmann of Poway, CA; sisters-in-law Erma Richter and her husband Robert of New Ulm, Shirley Bohlmann of New Ulm; nieces, nephews and other relatives.
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In addition to her parents, Deb was preceded in death by her sister Frances Thomas.
Memorials are preferred to Our Savior's Lutheran Church to be used for mission projects within the church, local community and globally.