Leverna Elizabeth Steien

Leverna Elizabeth Steien, age 97 of the Provena St. Joseph Center in Freeport, Illinois, formerly of Cuba City, Wisconsin died on Sunday evening, February 28, 2010 at Provena in Freeport. She was born on October 30, 1912 in Deer Grove, Illinois to William & Bessie (Coleman) Adams. She attended the Burden country school in Bureau County, near Tampico, Illinois, graduated from the Tampico High School in 1930, and attended the Northern Illinois State Teacher's College in DeKalb, IL. She taught rural school near Tampico for several years before she was married. On June 12, 1937 in Tampico at the St. Mary's Church, she married Rolf Georg Steien. They lived in Tampico for many years. While living there she was active in 4-H clubs, sang in her mother's church choir, belonged to the Altar and Rosary Society, and Royal Neighbors. She moved to Stockton, IL in 1962, to Waldwick, Wisconsin in 1969, in 1989 moved to Benton, in 2000 moved to Cuba City, and in 2007 moved to Freeport to be closer to her family. Leverna was a past member of the Saint Michael's Catholic Church in rural Blanchardville where she was a past church council member, and later a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Benton. She loved doing craft work during her life, including sewing, and crocheting. She loved gardening with her flowers. In her earlier years she was a part of a family orchestra with her sister and her parents. She also loved visiting with her family and friends. Leverna is survived by eight children, Elizabeth (Jim) Gavett of Richardson, Texas, Mary (Merle) Krogman of Stockton, Illinois, John (Carolyn) Steien of Morrison, Illinois, Carl (Charlice) Steien of Warren, Illinois, Jane Merrill, and Lori (John) Pollack, both of Freeport, Illinois, Anna Dummer of Fairfax, Minnesota, and Mark (Cathy) Steien of Hollandale; one sister-in-law, Mary Ann Steien of Lancaster, Minnesota; 16 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, and 8 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Rolf who died on December 16, 2001; one daughter Patricia in infancy; a granddaughter Janelle Williams; 3 son-in-laws, David Merrill, Doug Richter, and Joel Dummer; a brother in infancy; and her sister Evalyn Staelens who died in 2003; Funeral services will be held at 11:30 AM on Saturday, March 6, 2010 in the Saint Michael's Catholic Church in rural Blanchardville at 7939 County Highway F with Fr. David Wanish officiating. Burial will be in the Saint Michael's Cemetery. A visitation will be held at church prior to the service at 9:30 AM on Saturday. The Saether Funeral Home in Blanchardville is assisting the family. Online memories and condolences can be shared with the family at www.saetherfuneralhome.com.