Obituary of Vernon Rudolph Steger

Vernon R. Steger, 80, of Dyersville died Sunday, Nov. 16, 2014, at his residence after extended illnesses. Friends may call from 2:00 - 8:00 p.m. Friday, November 21, at Kramer Funeral Home 750 12th Ave SW, Dyersville, Iowa where a scripture service will be held at 2:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, November 22, 2014, at St. Francis Xavier Basilica in Dyersville with burial in the church cemetery. Rev. Dennis Quint will officiate. Vernon was born August 11, 1934, in Dyersville, IA the son of Sylvester and Rose (Quint) Steger. Vern graduated from St. Francis Xavier High School and served in the Army from 1957 - 1959 in Ft. Lewis, WA. He married Cecelia Spielbauer on August 8, 1959, in Guttenberg, IA. He worked at John Deere Dubuque Works as a machinist for 36 years, retiring in 1992. He then worked part-time as a mechanic for Taylor Construction until 2013. Gardening was his lifelong passion and he also enjoyed the river where he spent a lot of time camping, boating, water skiing and lately wintering in Texas. He was especially gifted as a handyman who could repair or restore any project presented to him. He was an avid reader whose major interest was history. Vernon enjoyed cutting wood and making wine. He also enjoyed spending time with his children and their families. Surviving are his wife, Cecelia, his children: Sheila (Steve) Becker of Dyersville, Julie (John) Osterhaus of North Liberty, Eric (Karen) Steger of Dyersville, Chris (friend Jenny Hayes) Steger of Cedar Rapids, Kurt (Michele) Steger of Irmo, SC, and Denise (Doug) Thompson of Coal Valley, IL; grandchildren: Samantha and Benjamin Osterhaus, Nicholas and Mitchell Steger, Jessica and Derrick Steger, Danielle, Hope, Sara and Adam Steger; step grandchildren: Natalie, Aaron (Erin) and Stephanie Becker, and Jacob Thompson; siblings: Norma (Francis) Apel of Dubuque, Rosemary (Eugene) Schmitz of Raymond; a sister-in-law, Darlene Steger of Dyersville, and in-laws: Joseph, Arnold (Dolores), Frank (Jackie), Lawrence (Ellie), Daniel (Georgia), James (Dorcas), Thomas (Ginger) and David Spielbauer, Helen Bolsinger and Hildagarde (Merrill) Brooks. He was preceded in death by his parents, 2 brothers: Donald and Paul Steger and in-laws: Kathleen (Lowell) Eilers, Rosalyn (Earl) Schultz, John Spielbauer, Delores Spielbauer and Donald Bolsinger. Memorials are preferred.