John Henry Steckelberg

John Henry Steckelberg, age 90 of Wells, MN, died Wednesday, February 27, 2019, at Heartland Sr. Living Parkview Campus in Wells, MN. A Funeral Service will be held Monday, March 4, 2019, at 2:00 PM at Open Doors United Methodist Church in Wells, MN, with Pr. Chris Leistra officiating. Visitation will be Sunday, March 3, 2019, from 2:00-4:00 PM at Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells and will continue one hour prior to the service on Monday. Interment will be in Rosehill Cemetery. John Henry was born October 3, 1928, in rural Wells, the son of Ernest and Lillie (Courrier) Steckelberg. He attended country school in rural Wells through 8th grade. John started his farming career with his father on several farms in Wells and Minnesota Lake. He was united in marriage to Milda Sahr on August 23, 1950, at Rice Lake Evangelical Church. Together they farmed until 1996 when they retired and moved into Wells. After retirement, John continued to help famers during harvest time. He was employed at Del Monte, Morgan Building Supply and was the custodian at the United Methodist Church from 1986-2008. John enjoyed playing cards, dominos, doing word search puzzles and other games. In the nursing home you could often find him reading the Upper Room Devotional along with his Bible, newspapers or history books. John was a member of the Rice Lake EUB and then the United Methodist Church of Wells where he had been an active member; he was on several church committees and sang in the choir. He was also a member of the Farm Bureau, the Wells Elevator Board and the Faribault Co. Historical Society. John provided love and care, along with Christian guidance to his entire family. The greatest part of John's life were the moments surrounded by his loving family, whether at summer camp gatherings, Thanksgiving outings to St. Cloud, or Spring Fling in Owatonna. John especially enjoyed his 90th birthday party. It gave him joy to be taken on rides to the country, or to just sit and visit. Blessed be his memory. John is survived by his children: Jean (Ken) Wessels of Blue Earth, Janice (Keith) Olson of St. Cloud, Dean Steckelberg of Wells, Susan (Bob) Rishavy of Alexandria and Bill (Amy) Steckelberg of Wells; daughter-in-law Gaylene Steckelberg of Owatonna; grandchildren: Larissa (Erik) Buckley and Pat (Teri) Steckelberg all of Owatonna; and Karl (Tricia) Steckelberg of Blooming Prairie, Tina (Richard) Wessels of Arkansas, Jacob (Jessica) Olson of Annandale, Andrea (Eric) Christensen of Rochester, Aubrey Steckelberg of Burnsville, Benjamin (Jamie) Steckelberg and Tanner Steckelberg all of Wells, Jennifer (Matt) Bertolatus of Minneapolis, Andy Rishavy (fiance' Airica Swallow) of Helena, MT, Thea Steckelberg of Wells, Nathan (Jenna) Steckelberg of Eagle Lake, and Taylor Steckelberg of Mankato; great-grandchildren: Finn and Eli Buckley of Owatonna: Spencer, Logan and Lainey Steckelberg of Owatonna; Lexi and Grady Steckelberg of Blooming Prairie; Evan, Haylee and Ruby Olson of Annandale; Natalie, Greta, Oscar and Harrison Christensen of Rochester; Tashina Barta and Noalin Nordaas of Burnsville; Avy and Lucy Bertolatus of Minneapolis; Jayleigh Steckelberg of Wells; Ava and Addison Steckelberg of Eagle Lake; sister, Ardene Breitkreutz of Wells, sisters-in-law: Elaine Bidne of Albert Lea and Esther Ziemer of Bricelyn, many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Milda Steckelberg; son, Dennis Steckelberg; daughter-in-law Shera Steckelberg; infant granddaughter and two great-granddaughters, Kayla and Kassie; brother-in-law Virgil Breitkreutz.