Erwin "Fred" Steinke

Erwin "Fred" Steinke, age 90 of New Ulm, died Sunday, January 11, 2026 at Oak Hills Living Center in New Ulm.

A funeral service will be at 11am on Saturday, January 17, 2026 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in New Ulm with Pastor Kathleen Ulland-Klinkner officiating. Burial will follow in the New Ulm City Cemetery. Full military honors will be provided by the New Ulm Area Comrades of Valor Honor Guard.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, 1 hour prior to the service at church.

Livestream video of the service can be found by clicking this link: LIVESTREAM

To leave an online condolence for the family, or to sign the guestbook, please visit: www.mvfh.org.

Fred is survived by his children, Deborah Hemshrot of Mesa, AZ, Robin Steinke of Minneapolis, and Jay Steinke of Sioux Falls, SD; grandchildren, James (Heather) Hemshrot, Rebecca Hemshrot, Patrick Hemshrot, Mitchel Steinke, and Miah Steinke; great-granddaughter, Haylee Hemshrot; other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Deb in 2009; sisters, Erma Richter and Shirley Bohlmann.

Erwin Frederick Steinke was born January 26, 1935 in New Ulm to Kurt and Orda (Schultz) Steinke. He graduated from New Ulm High School. Following high school, Fred enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, where he served in San Diego for 3 years. While in the service, Fred married Dorothy "Deb" Buckley at Scott Memorial Baptist church in San Diego. Fred and Deb moved back to Minnesota (Courtland) in 1963. The couple was blessed with three children, whom they raised together in New Ulm. Fred worked for Lambert Distributing, PGI Mailers, and BF Goodrich. His final career was Kraft, where he worked until he was 84, becoming the company's oldest employee. In his free time, Fred enjoyed playing cards with friends, gardening, and working on existing or created home projects. Fred loved his family and time with them, especially the many fun adventures he had with his grandchildren and great-granddaughter. Fred was a very faithful person. He was long-time, devout member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church where he was a committed member of the men's bible study group.

He will be dearly missed by all who loved him. Blessed be his memory.

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