Nov. 19, 1925 – Jan. 4, 2016
Elmer Glen Steenbock, 90, of Sweet Home died Jan. 4, 2016.
He was born Nov. 19, 1925 at his family’s farm near Persia, Iowa, the fourth of six children – four brothers and two sisters.
Mr. Steenbock served in the 1st Squad, 3rd Platoon, Company B, 1st Battalion, 345th Regiment, under Gen. George Patton in the European theatre during World War II.
He was injured during the Battle of the Bulge, and received a Purple Heart for his service and sacrifice.
At the end of the war, he returned to Iowa and married his high school sweetheart, Vivienne Koll. After 10 years of farming, Mr. Steenbock entered the ministry and served for 25 years as an ordained pastor of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. He served many years on mission trips to Russia, baptizing many and especially focusing on orphan children.
The Steenbocks have enjoyed 69 wonderful years of marriage.
Mr. Steenbock is survived by his wife, five daughters and two sons, as well as 21 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.
Memorials can be made to Loyal Lutheran Russian Mission or to the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod Seminary Fund.
A funeral service was held Jan. 7 at Bethel Lutheran Church in Sweet Home, with interment on Jan. 11 at Willamette National Cemetery.
AAsum-Dufour Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.