STEINKE, William Ludwig
1932 - 2020
William (Bill) Steinke was born in Heisler, Alberta to Emma and Ferdinand Steinke. He was the seventh of nine children who grew up on a farm near Cooking Lake in Strathcona County. Bill moved with his family to Kelowna, BC, where he worked in a bike shop and learned fly-fishing. He returned to Alberta and was trained as an auto body mechanic. He settled in Edmonton where he met his beloved Edith, and where they were married there in 1962. After the arrival of Penny and Gary, Bill and Edith longed for country living and purchased a farm north of Athabasca in 1971. Bill initially worked in Town as a mechanic then once again took up farming, while Edith worked as a nurse at the local hospital. When Edith fell ill, Bill gladly became her caregiver until per passing in 2000. Bill loved getting together with extended family in Kelowna, Mayerthorpe and Steinke Estates in Strathcona County. Bill was an active member of Athabasca’s Chamber of Commerce and Agricultural Society, and he enjoyed meeting friends for coffee in Town. Bill sold the farm in 2018 and moved to Edmonton to be closer to family, but Athabasca would always be his home, and the home of many memories for the family.
He is survived by his children Penny (Barry) Raynard and Gary (Tracy) Steinke, grandchildren Gaige, Braden, Noah, and Ava Steinke and Bethany and Matthew Raynard, plus his sister Erika Wills, brother Art Steinke and dozens of extended family.
As Bill loved big parties with extended family and friends, a celebration of life service will be held at a later time when we can all get together in person.
Condolences:
Serenity Funeral Service, South Edmonton (780) 450-0101
