Esther Steckelberg

NEW TROY - Esther E. Steckelberg, 95, of New Troy went to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, March 27, 2011 at Woodland Terrace in Bridgman.

A Funeral service will be held 11 AM Friday, April 1 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Sawyer with Reverend Roberto A. Becerra, officiating. Friends may meet with the family on Thursday from 6-8 PM at Pike Funeral Home, Boyd Chapel, 9191 Red Arrow Hwy., Bridgman. Burial will be in New Troy Cemetery. As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be given to Trinity Lutheran Church.

Esther was born January 21, 1916 in Danube, Minnesota the daughter of the late Frank and Bertha (Reetz) Klatt and was baptized at St. Matthews Lutheran Church in Danube. The family moved to Mora, MN in 1924. On August 4, 1929 she was confirmed at the Zion Lutheran Church. On Sept. 2, 1938 she married Carl W. Steckelberg and they moved to New Troy in 1942.

Esther attended Teacher’s College in Mora, MN and taught school for four years in Minnesota. She later earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees at Western Michigan University. She taught Kindergarten in New Troy for 35 years.

Esther was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Sawyer where she sang in the choir for 61 years, attended Bible Class regularly and taught Sunday School.

Survivors include two daughters - Patricia (Donald) Poindexter and Susan Neglia; two granddaughters - Jill (Frank) Wise and Lynn (Rev. Greg) Turk; four great grandchildren; a brother - Gary Klatt and a sister, Louise Rolf.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Carl in 1978, her parents and two sisters.

Visitation

6-8 PM ,Thursday, March 31, 2011
Pike Funeral Home, Boyd Chapel
9191 Red Arrow Hwy Bridgman, MI 49106

Funeral Service

11 AM ,Friday, April 1, 2011
Trinity Lutheran Church - Sawyer
5791 Sawyer Road Sawyer, Michigan, MI 49125

Commital Service

Friday, April 1, 2011
New Troy Cemetery
Weechik Road New Troy, MI 49119