July 4, 1940 — December 24, 2025
Receiving the best Christmas gift of all, Frederick Dean Steinberg, age 85, of St. Ansgar, Iowa, went to his heavenly home on Wednesday, December 24, 2025. The funeral service for Fred will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in St. Ansgar. The visitation will be held at the church, before the service, beginning at noon. Interment will be in St. John’s Cemetery – Rock Township.
He was born July 4, 1940, in Mitchell County, Iowa, the son of Edwin and Evelyn (Kruger) Steinberg. He was baptized at Immanuel Lutheran Church, St. Ansgar, on July 28, 1940, and was also confirmed there on April 11, 1954. Fred attended country school at Rock #2. He went to “town school” in St. Ansgar when starting sixth grade. In high school he participated in music, football and basketball, where he graduated in 1958. He went on to work with his father on his family farm in Rock Township and also worked part time as an electrician. Fred married Karen June (Hartwig) on February 16, 1963, at St John’s Lutheran Church, Rock Township. They first farmed in Worth County, Iowa, and in 1975, moved to the Hartwig Family Farm, Mitchell County, Newburg Township. Two sons were born to them, Brian Paul and Bruce Frederick. For many years Fred served as a 4-H Leader, Newburg Township Trustee, St. Ansgar Fire Board member and held several positions at Immanuel Lutheran Church, including President, Vice-President, Head Elder and Treasurer. He also participated in Men’s Club and Bible studies. He enjoyed playing pool, slow pitch softball, dancing and numerous card and board games. Fred loved visiting with family and friends and ended many conversations with his quick wit! Traveling with friends and going on bus trips were a source of enjoyment. Early retirement came in 2010, when he suffered a severe heart attack. The last 15 years were a challenge, which he met with therapy and determination.
Those surviving him are his wife of nearly 63 years, Karen; and his sons, Brian (Tori) and their children, Gregory (Blair), Kayley (Chaley Schulz), and Riley, and Bruce (Meagan) and their daughter, Violet. Also surviving are his sister, Carol Jones of Austin, Minnesota, and her son, Jason (Rosemary) of Nashville, Tennessee; and brother, David (Elaine) and children, Jessica Nielsen (Luke), JD (Courtney), Joshua (Abbie) and Jackson (Ashley). He is also survived by great-grandchildren, Quinn, Arlo, and Sullivan Steinberg, Greer and Willow Schulz; and several great-nieces and nephews.
Fred was preceded in death by his grandparents; his father, Edwin; mother, Evelyn; step-mother, Maxine (Griener) Steinberg; brother-in-law, Lellen (Buck) Jones; nephew, Steven Jones; nephew-in-law, Wade Machin; and great-granddaughter, Olive Esma Schulz.
Memorials may be directed to Immanuel Lutheran Church or St. Ansgar Rescue. The family acknowledges and thanks the Good Samaritan Society for the good care these past 19 months and to St. Croix Hospice for their last days of comfort care.
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