John Steenson Passes at Age 66
John R. Steenson, 66, of Columbus, formerly of Wolbach, died peacefully with his family by his side on Tuesday, July 5, 2022, in Columbus.
Mass of Christian Burial was held on Monday, July 11, 2022 at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in St. Paul. Father Vince Parsons presided. Linda Kezeor served as the pianist and the Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church Choir served as the vocalists. Musical selections included “On Eagle’s Wings”, “Christ in Me Arise”, “Song of Farewell”, and “On Christ Alone”.
Interment was in the Hillside Cemetery in Wolbach. Pallbearers included Charlie Dubas, Ted Dubas, Bill Dubas, Joe Steenson, J.J. Steenson, and Matt Steenson. Honorary pallbearers were Shayla Steenson, Elli Steenson, Jack Steenson, Audrey Naughton, Emma Naughton, Isaac Naughton, Olivia Naughton, and Treyton Ruhl.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the family to be designated at a later date.
Jacobsen-Greenway-Dietz Funeral Home of St. Paul assisted the family.
John was born on April 2, 1956 to Delmar and Reva (Marco) Steenson at Palmer. John grew up with a hard work ethic and strong faith on the farm just east of Wolbach. John attended Wolbach Public Schools, graduating in 1974. He was an outstanding athlete in school, playing football, basketball, baseball, and winning the Nebraska state title in discus his senior year. He won the Edsel Wibbels Award in 1974. He was also a Golden Glove boxer. He attended Kearney State College in Kearney. He married Diane Whalen on November 22, 1975 during a blizzard at O’Conner. They lived on the family farm until moving into town in 1990. They raised their three kids, Jarod, Sara, and Shelli, in Wolbach.
“Big John”, as he was commonly known, followed in his father’s footsteps and managed the Farmer’s Union Co-op Elevator in Wolbach from 1975 until 2005. Afterwards, he and Diane moved to Minden, where John worked for Cooperative Producers Incorporated as the manager of the grain elevator in Funk until his retirement in 2010. In 2013, he and Diane relocated to Columbus.
John was a past member of the Wolbach Volunteer Fire Department and EMTs, Wolbach Village Board, and Wolbach Saddle Club. He was a member of the Wolbach School Board for numerous years. He was very proud to be the recipient of the 2002 “Above and Beyond the Call of Duty” award from the Pearl Harbor Survivors’ Association. He loved all things farming, cattle, hunting, and horses.
John is survived by his wife, Diane Steenson of Columbus; son and daughter-in-law, Jarod and Shelby Steenson of Wolbach; daughters and son-in-law, Sara Steenson of Duncan, and Shelli and Brian Naughton of Columbus; brothers and sisters-in-law, Mike and Patsy Steenson of Grand Island, Tom and Susan Steenson of Wolbach, Jan Steenson of Wolbach; sisters and brothers-in-law, Margie Dubas of Genoa, Betsy Dubas of Columbus, Linda and Jack Bailey of Fullerton, Penny and Gerry Small of Fullerton, and Mary Reab of Grand Island; grandchildren, Shayla Steenson of Kearney, Elli Steenson of Kearney, Jack Steenson of Grand Island, and Audrey, Emma, Isaac, and Olivia Naughton, all of Columbus; step-grandson, Treyton Ruhl of Wolbach; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. John was preceded in death by his parents, Delmar and Reva Steenson; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Lloyd and Darlene Whalen; brother, Patrick Steenson; and sisters, JoAnn Dubas and Judy Steenson.