Evelyn Steeber

Evelyn “Evie” Steeber, age 93 a lifelong resident of Kellnersville, passed away on Friday, January 7, 2022.

Evelyn was born on April 1, 1928 in Francis Creek, daughter of the late Charles and Libbie (Jirikovec) Ruzek. She attended schools in Kellnersville and Melnik and graduated in 1946 from Mishicot High School. 

After high school, Evelyn was employed in the office of the Aluminum Specialty Co until 1951. Evelyn was baptized and became a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Kellnersville shortly before she married Richard on Sept. 9, 1950. Evie and her husband Richard joined partnership with Russell Steeber and purchased Steeber’s Grocery Store from their parents. Evie and Dick worked side by side with Russ and his wife Ione for 41 years until they retired and sold the store in 1992.  Working side by side with your husband was never a problem for Evie, as she always commented that she was married to the very best husband. They were childhood sweethearts whose love never dimmed for each other in all of the 61 years that they were married until Richard’s death on April 29, 2012.

She remained an active member of St. Joseph for the rest of her life, volunteering for many fund raisers, helping organize events and helped start the Home School Organization for St. Joseph’s Catholic grade school.

Evelyn loved to sing. She sang with her High School Chorus, the Two Rivers Carmen Chorus, St. Joseph Choir and before Covid, she was singing weekly with the Manitowoc Senior Center Silver Memories. Evie was a member of many organizations including: Wisconsin Czechs, Inc., Kellnersville Betterment Association, Kellnersville Home Makers, Kellnersville Housing, Mishicot Alumni, and the Manitowoc Historical Society where she had volunteered in the gift shop at Pinecrest. While her children were in high school, she was also President of the Reedsville Band Boosters. She believed in always voting for every election and was an election poll worker for many years. She also enjoyed getting together monthly with her lunch group “The K-City Girls”. She was most proud of the fact that she was a member for 67 years with the V.F.W. Auxiliary of the Kubale-O’Connell Post #6179 and a member for 67 years with St. Joseph Rosary Society. She served as President with both organizations for multiple terms.

Survivors include her children: Rick Steeber, FL; Kristy (Jerry) Omernick, West Bend; Kathy Kochan, Kellnersville; and Mark Steeber, Kellnersville. Her grandchildren: Ariel Steeber and Libby Steeber (fiancé John Julka); Courtney Omernick and Jake Omernick; Michelle Kochan and Angela (Kochan) (Luke) Rankin. She is further survived by her brother, Chuck Ruzek; a brother-in-law, Ervin Lambert, many nieces and nephews, other relatives and special friends include: Lisa Corey (Steeber), Joe Kochan, Ruth Noack and JoAnn Barta.

She was preceded in death by her husband: Richard; her parents, Charles and Libbie Ruzek; in-laws: Mike and Anna Steeber; a grandson: Danny Kochan; and daughter-in-law: Amy Cayemberg Steeber; two nieces: Valla Jean and Carolyn; her siblings and their spouses: Lester and Betty Ruzek, Charlotte Ruzek, and Bernice and Butch Suemnicht and Emil Blahnik; her brothers and sisters in-law and their spouses: Jeanette and Frank Zeman, Russell and Ione Steeber, Donald and Millie Steeber and Carol Lambert.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 PM on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 522 Tower Avenue, Kellnersville. The Rev. Santiago Turiano, Jr. and Deacon Cal Naidl will celebrate the Mass of Christian Burial with private burial in the parish cemetery on Monday. Relatives and friends may call at the church on Sunday from 1:00 Pm until the time of Mass at 3:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church, Kellnersville. The Reinbold & Pfeffer Family Funeral Home of Kellnersville is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.lakeshorefamilyfuneralhomes.com

The family would like to thank the Hospice team from Sharon Richardson Community Hospice. The exceptional caring staff became friends with Mom and was a big help to her while she was at home and for the last month when she was at the Sheboygan Falls facility.

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