Jessie Steinkuhler

Jessie Margaritte Rider was born on August 27, 1917 at Syracuse, Nebraska to Fred Franklin and Lydia Margaret Harms Rider. She died on Thursday, January 15th in Tecumseh, Nebraska at the age of 91 years, 4 months, and 19 days. She lived all her life in the Syracuse and Douglas areas.

Jessie was baptized on May 6, 1924 at her home by Reverend Krebs. She was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran faith. Her godparents were her grandmothers. After moving to Douglas in 1939, Jessie joined the Christian Church. She served as Sunday School Superintendent for several years. She was also President of the Woman's Society for several years. After the closing of the Christian Church, she transferred her membership to the Douglas United Methodist Church.

Jessie attended Syracuse Public School graduating in 1935. She then took a post graduate class in business for one semester. She worked for the telephone company. Jessie also did babysitting and house cleaning for many fine families in Syracuse.

Jessie married March 19, 1953 at Atchison, Kansas at the courthouse by Judge Jeanne Yequierdo. Together they raised 4 children - Sheila, Rita, Judy, and Randy.

Jessie was a very active participant in life. November 20, 1942, she was initiated into the Douglas Chapter #248 Order of the Eastern Star. She held many offices including Worthy Matron several time. For 2 years, she served as District Supervisor. When the Douglas Chapter closed, Jessie transferred her membership to the Palmyra Chapter #257 Order of the Eastern Star. In this group, she also held several offices, including Worthy Matron.

Jessie served as assistant Otoe County Assessor for 17 years. She had the distinction of being the first woman elected to the office of Otoe County Commissioner.
She was an avid sports fan. She played softball for the Syracuse Blue Birds Softball team. In 1956, she organized a girls softball team in Douglas, which she coached for 40 years. In 1959, Jessie helped organize the "Southeast Nebraska Girls Softball League", serving as its president for 25 years. In 1985, the League honored Jessie by changing the name of the League to the "Jessie Steinkuhler Girls Softball League". In 1985, she was inducted into the Nebraska Softball Hall of Fame. Jessie coached Women's softball for many years, organized Women's and Coed Volleyball Leagues, and coached the Volleyball teams for many years. She finally stopped coaching in 1996.

Jessie served as President of the Otoe County Republican Women's Organization. She served on the Otoe County and National Republican Committees. For over 50 years, Jessie was the Hendricks Precinct Committee Woman. She served on the Election Board for a long time.

In 1972, Jessie helped organize the Douglas Community Improvement Program. She served as President of that group. In 1973, she was given the Outstanding Leadership Award by the Nebraska Community Improvement Program. In 1976, she received the Bicentennial Award for loyal, dedicated service to her community. The Ak-Sar-Ben Good Neighbor Award was given to Jessie in 1976 for devotion to community work. Governor Charles Thone appointed Jessie as "Admiral in the Navy of the Great State of Nebraska". In 1981, she was named Outstanding Business Woman by the Otoe County Farm Bureau. Jessie served as President of the Douglas PTA, and was given a life membership to the organization. Jessie was a 4-H leader for many years, as well as being a 25 year member of both Douglas Extension Club and YT and T Club. She served as President of the Otoe County Extension Clubs.

For 22 years, Jessie was the site manager for the Douglas Senior Center, working under the Blue River Area Agency on Aging.

In April of 1984, Jessie was guest speaker at a 4 state Eighth Annual Mid-America Conference held in Hiawatha, Kansas.

Jessie is survived by daughters: Rita Schuster & husband David of Sterling, Nebraska, Judy Mulkey and husband Dr. Mark of Mason City, Iowa Son - Randy Steinkuhler and wife Jeanie of Unadilla, NE, son-in-law: Riccardo Gonzalez of Phoenix, Arizona. Grandchildren: Jared and Kelley Schuster, Russell Schuster and fiancée Sara Straube, Jessica, Brett, and Ryan Mulkey, Briana and C.J. Gonzalez, Step Grandchildren: Megan, Jonathan, and Addison Poppas, Great Grandchildren: Cameron and Kaityn Schuster

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband- August Gayle "Steiny" Steinkuhler on May 24, 2002, daughter Sheila Gonzalez on December 26, 2006 of breast cancer.

Memorial Services will be Saturday, January 24 at 10:30 AM
at the United Methodist Church, Douglas, Nebraska

Visitation with NO Viewing, due to Cremation, will January 23rd from 9-9 at the Funeral Home with Family present at the Funeral Home from 6-8 PM

In Lieu of Flowers, Family Suggest Memorials to Douglas Senior Center or Jessie Steinkuhler
Ball Field in Douglas