Georgia Ann Steinhoff, age 77, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Tuesday, October 17, 2017, at her home in Chaska, MN. She was formerly a longtime resident of Shakopee, MN.
A time of gathering will be held on Sunday, October 22 from 4-7 pm and on Monday, October 23 from 9:30-10:30 am, both at Ballard-Sunder Funeral and Cremation, 833 South Marschall Road, Shakopee. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, October 23 at 11 am, at The Parish of Saints Joachim and Anne 350 Atwood Street, Shakopee, led by Father Paul Haverstock. Pallbearers will be her grandsons. Georgia will be laid to rest with her husband at Fort Snelling National Cemetery on Tuesday, October 25 at 10:35 am.
From Georgia’s very first breath, her destiny and direction in life was to serve the Lord. Georgia was born on All Saints Day, November 1, 1939, in Minneapolis, MN. She was the oldest of five children born to Ambrose Louis and Lucille Fern (Warrington) Bednarczyk. Georgia spent most of her life growing up around Minnewashta, MN. She attended Guardian Angels Catholic High School and was a proud graduate of the Class of 1957. It was during her childhood that Georgia’s father passed away. This was a difficult time in her life, yet it instilled lifelong character—determination, strength and a caring attitude towards others.
Through mutual friends, Georgia meet a young man named Jerome “Jerry” Adelbert Steinhoff. At the time Jerry was in the service, so they corresponded through writing letters. Georgia and Jerry’s love blossomed and on October 3, 1959 at St. Victoria Catholic Church in Victoria, MN they exchanged wedding vows. They settled their roots in Shakopee where they raised their eight children—Robert, William, Sandra, Jerome Jr., David, Nancy, Paul, and Genevieve.
As a family they enjoyed camping and, in later years, spending time at the cabin in Longville, MN. For over 30 years, Georgia enjoyed lake life. While she liked fishing and boating, Georgia was best known for her love of a good bonfire. Georgia also took many road trips with her husband Jerry. They traveled across the United States to Arizona, Missouri, and as far as Alaska. Eventually, Georgia shared her passion for lake life and traveling with her grandchildren.
Most of Georgia’s life was dedicated to her family. While she worked outside the home at Lee Data and American Medical Systems, it was raising her children and grandchildren that brought her the most joy and happiness. Her home was a welcome place for family, friends, and neighbors where a home cooked meal was never in short supply. In Georgia’s free time, she enjoyed playing cards with the girls, making blankets for her family, gardening, and crafting—she was especially skilled at calligraphy and had excellent penmanship.
Georgia instilled her strong faith in God and devotion to the church to her entire family. She encouraged her family to not only attend church, but to live their faith through participation and prayer.
Her legacy of kindness, generosity, and compassion will be carried on by her children, Robert Steinhoff, William (Janet) Steinhoff, Sandra (Charles) Doherty, Jerome Jr. (Susan) Steinhoff, David (Tara) Steinhoff, Nancy Henderson, Paul (Penelope Conway) Steinhoff, Genevieve (Jon) Bishop; grandchildren, Krist (Sarah) Kalkes, Dustin (Cindy) Steinhoff, Todd Steinhoff, Allen Henderson, James Kuhlmann, Grace Kuhlmann, Samuel Bishop, Grace Bishop, Luke Steinhoff, Miles Willemssen; great-grandchildren, Kate, Kylie and Carson Steinhoff, Henry Kalkes: sister, Kathy Brueck, Joan (Jerry) Bloomquist; Mary Danner; brother, Joe (Lynn) Bednarczyk; many relatives and friends.
Georgia was preceded in death by husband, Jerome “Jerry”; great-granddaughter, Evelyn Ruth Kalkes; mother, Lucille (Elmer) Ekberg and her father, Ambrose Bednarczyk.
