John Fred Steinkamp

John F. Steinkamp, 66, of Spirit Lake passed away on Sunday, January 29, 2017 at Lakes Regional Health Care. A mass of Christian burial will be held on Thursday, February 2, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Spirit Lake. Burial will take place at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday in the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Laurens, IA. Following the committal service, there will be a reception at the Sacred Heart Parish Center in Laurens. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 4-7 p.m. with a Knights of Columbus Rosary Service at 6:00 p.m. at the Schuchert-Lentz Funeral Home in Spirit Lake. Arrangements are under the direction of Schuchert-Lentz Funeral Home. John Fred Steinkamp was born October 28, 1950 to Fred & Marcella (Meister) Steinkamp in Emmetsburg, IA. He was raised on a farm NE of Laurens, IA. along with his brothers Bob, Art, and Matt. This is the same farm he would return to in later years to raise his own family. John was baptized and confirmed at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Laurens. He graduated from the Laurens High School and continued his education at Iowa State University. June 19, 1971 John married the little red head he fell for in kindergarten; “his Mary”. Over the next 6 years John & Mary welcomed two daughters, Amy & Sarah, and his brother, Matt to their family. John started his career in the grain elevator business in March of 1971 at the Farmers Coop Elevator in Laurens. He went to work at the Ruthven Coop Elevator in the mid 1990’s, as an agronomy department manager. He ended his career at Everly, IA for Green Plains Grain in 2012. John enjoyed many interests but, especially in his retirement, he loved woodworking, gardening, and making animated lighted yard decorations, especially for Christmas. But the best thing ever was having his family all together. He and Mary missed very few ballgames that their grandsons played, traveling far and wide to do so. Not to mention their granddaughters dance recitals, soccer games & swim meets. John thoroughly enjoyed his years spent with the Knights of Columbus. He held many offices in the local, district and state levels and served on the degree team. He was also a 4th degree Knight. John made many lifelong friends along the way. Speaking of friends, John took the grandsons to the Clay County Fair every year. The boys came home one time and said “does Grandpa know everybody?”! Seems they had a hard time making their way across the fairgrounds without stopping to chat with another friend. John was welcomed home on January 29, 2017 by his parents, brothers, and Mary’s parents Bud & Wilma Holmes. He leaves behind his best friend, Mary, his children Todd & Amy Maschino, Greg & Sarah Villegas, Grandchildren Bryce & Riley Maschino, Olivia & Sophia Villegas. Three sisters-in-law, Dee Steinkamp, Joyce Steinkamp and Patty Steinberg, 8 nieces and nephews, and many, many cousins and a multitude of friends. There is no greater compliment to a life well lived than to be told that John truly was a role model for what a Christian man should be.

John Fred Steinkamp

October 28, 1950 - January 29, 2017