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Connie Steketee Obituary
Was born in Kalamazoo Michigan on April 26, 1924 and passed away peacefully in her sleep on June 3, 2014, she was 90 years old. Connie Steketee has been part of the Santa Barbara community since 1950 and a mainstay in the community arts. Connie was an accomplished artist, performer, musician, comedian and social volunteer for the SB community for over 65 years, and her bigger than life personality will be missed by so many. Connie Steketee might best be known for her Mrs. Santa Clause visits to the public schools for over 50 years. She represented Santa during the Holidays to school children all over the Santa Barbara area. Connie Steketee is the current State Mother for the Fraternal Order of the Eagles, and has been an active member of the Eagles Womens Auxiliary for many years. Mrs. Steketee is preceded in death by her son Paul Steketee and is survived by her son Larry Steketee of Santa Barbara and current Fraternal Order of the Eagles State President, Peggy Steketee of Ventura CA and Lynne Steketee of Denver CO. Grandchildren Joshua, Jeremy and Jennifer Steketee, Kristin Head and Kelley Kiesling and 7 great grandchildren. Memorial services are being planned and will be publically announced soon.
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Memories and Condolences
for Connie Steketee
6 Entries
Maria Salas
May 30, 2023
A year doesn´t go by without all the beautiful memories of Connie, ( Franklin´s) Mrs Claus. Whenever I send a card to someone, I find the ones she painted. I truly miss her her warm and generous heart.
Alec Ward
June 24, 2021
I still have a painting Connie did at our church's talent show back in 1987.
Christie (Steketee) Anderson
June 14, 2014
Connie was my aunt by marriage and certainly was a larger than life person. I spent many hours at her Santa Barbara home playing with my cousins. I have a portrait she painted of me at age 4 holding my favorite stuffed toy, a red rooster. I'm sure she's already involved in the arts activities in heaven.
Kim Morales
June 14, 2014
Connie was a kind and spunky lady who brightened my life with her art. She loved her children and expressed this love when I was with her. She made the world a better place for all of us and was a role model as she did this. My condolences to her family.
Maria Salas
June 12, 2014
Connie had been coming to Franklin School for more than 10 years to share her story as Mrs. Claus. All my students were thrilled to see her. After giving their hopeful messages for Santa and handing out candy canes they would gather around to take a picture with her to save as a keepsake for their end of the year book. As a token of our appreciation, my students would make her a year long calendar with picture included. I will truly miss her warm and loving presence. She will always be in a little corner of my heart.
Love, Miss Salas :)
Lizzie Wilson
June 9, 2014
She was a friend of our mother and father, John and Loretta Wilson. (Both deceased) My brother Johnny and I recall her with fondness and a vividness reserved for only the few that had the ability to imprint on young minds. To restate from another notice:
She was a colorful character and a great thread in the fine fabric of Santa Barbara. I remember first meeting her as a wee youngster and recall the chaos and ruffles and a number of pets, including a goat of questionable temperament. Good travels Connie.
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