Barbara Steinke

Steinke, Barbara Jane WAUKESHA/SUN PRAIRIE/MADISON Barbara Jane Steinke, age 70, wife, mother, grandmother, musician, passed away on Tuesday, June 17, 2008. She was born on July 31, 1937, in Evansville, Ind., the daughter of Donald and Ida (Thrash) Cox. Barbara graduated from Downer College in Milwaukee and her first job was a flight attendant for Capitol Airlines. She married Donald Steinke on Nov. 22, 1960, in South Milwaukee. They moved to West Bend, Wis., where they helped start Trinity Lutheran Church out of a VFW hall. Later they moved to Greendale, Wis., where they started The House of Prayer mission church where Barbara rediscovered her love for piano. In 1973, they moved to Sun Prairie and became members of Bristol Lutheran Church, where she was an organist, secretary, member of the choir and altar guild. Barbara taught piano to hundreds of kids from her home beginning in the 1970s and retiring in 2003. They joined Trinity Lutheran Church, Madison, in the 1980s where she was active in hand bells, choir and many other various activities throughout the years. Barbara is survived by her husband, Donald; three sons, Bill (Teri) of Raleigh, N.C., Jay (Jenni) of Waukesha and Ross (Cecile) of San Jose, Calif.; two grandchildren, Samuel and Noah of Waukesha; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents; and sister, Jean Fortner. Funeral services will be held at ASCENSION LUTHERAN CHURCH, 1415 Dopp St., Waukesha, on Sunday, June 22, 2008, at 5 p.m., with the Rev. John Ruppenthal presiding. Burial will be held at Prairie Home Cemetery, Waukesha, on Monday, June 23, 2008, at 10:30 a.m. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, on Saturday, June 21, 2008, from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m., and also at ASCENSION LUTHERAN CHURCH, in Waukesha on Sunday, from 3:30 p.m. until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Lupus Foundation of America, 1109 North Mayfair Rd. Suite 208, Milwaukee, WI 53226. A special thank you to the family and friends for all of their care and support.