John Steckelberg

John William Steckelberg was born May 7, 1916, the son of Max and Anna Lamaack Steckelberg. He passed away Thursday, February 21, 2013, at the Eventide Lutheran Home in Denison, Iowa, at the age of 96.
Johnny was born in Manilla, Iowa. He was baptized in Christ on July 2, 1916 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Manilla and later confirmed there on May 10, 1931. Johnny attended country school near his home. On October 5, 1940, he was united in marriage to Leita Lapel at her parents home near Manilla. The couple farmed southeast of Denison and bought their farm in the 1950s. Johnny had two loves. His first was his wife, Leita; the second was his farm. He enjoyed working the land, raising livestock, and chickens. In their leisure time they enjoyed going dancing, especially at the Five-Mile House near Arcadia, or to the Lake View Ballroom. Johnny and Leita also enjoyed going to neighborhood barn dances. Johnny loved to play horse shoes. He pitched at the Old Settlers Picnic and County Fair for many years and competed at the State Fair. Johnny enjoyed watching kitten ball and took in may games at Westbrick Park in Denison. He was a baseball fan too and watched many baseball games on television. Fishing was another pastime for Johnny. He also bowled in a league for many years at Lucky Lanes. John was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Denison.
John was preceded in death by his parents; four sisters: Anna Miller, Ida Hilbert, Minnie Bandow, and Florence Lapel; and six brothers: Frank, Charles, George, Max, Walter, and Henry. Survivors include his wife, Leita of Denison; a host of nephews and nieces; other relatives, and friends.