Don Stieneke

Donald J. Stieneke, age 89, formerly of Alta, Iowa passed away on Monday, May 29, 2017 peacefully in his sleep at Lancaster Manor in Lincoln, Nebraska. Funeral services will be held Friday, June 2, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Alta. Burial will be in the St. John Lutheran Cemetery in Hanover. Visitation will take place Thursday, June 1, 2017 from 5-7:00 p.m. at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Alta. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Alta is in charge of the arrangements. Don was born on August 18, 1927 to Victor and Venus (Hollingshead) Stieneke in Quimby, Iowa. Don was baptized and confirmed at Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Quimby. Don enlisted in the Navy in November of 1944 and was honorably discharged in July of 1946. He began his basic training at the Great Lakes Training Center in Chicago. He continued his training in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and then embarked onto the USS Doyle, which took him to Japan. During his naval experience, he corresponded with Helen Grieme, who he met at a church youth rally. Don and Helen were married on April 24, 1949 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Alta. Together they shared 68 years of marriage and were blessed with four children, Daniel, Patricia, Charles, and Kristi. They started farming in 1953 on a farm north of Alta and retired from farming in 1988. Don had many hobbies and interests. He enjoyed woodworking, making stained glass, playing cards with friends, fishing, politics, and camping across the United States. Don was an active member of Grace Lutheran Church in Storm Lake, Iowa and St. Paul Lutheran Church in Alta, Iowa. He served several offices in both congregations. His memory is celebrated by his wife Helen; his children Daniel (Valerie Sills) Stieneke of Raleigh, North Carolina, Patricia Cabeen of Lincoln, Nebraska, Kristi (Curt) Miller of Geneva, Illinois; grandchildren Justin (Megan) Cabeen of Lincoln, Nebraska, Brandon (Haley) Cabeen of Lincoln, Nebraska, Andrew (Cari Corbett) Stieneke of Raleigh, North Carolina, Thomas Stieneke of Raleigh, North Carolina, Kelsi and Elle Miller of Geneva, Illinois; great grandson Jace Cabeen of Lincoln, Nebraska; sister Freda Tolzin of Cherokee, Iowa; sister in law Lora Norlin of Spencer, Iowa and many nephews, nieces and friends. He was preceded in his death by his parents, son Charles and his brothers George and Leonard Stieneke and sister Frances Meyer.

Don Stieneke

August 18, 1927 - May 29, 2017