Wilfred Steingas

– Wilfred J. Steingas was born on Feb. 27, 1923, to John and Emma Kruse Steingas in International Falls, Minnesota. He graduated from the Falls High School in 1942, and married Elsie Poster, his childhood sweetheart, on June 15, 1946, in Virginia, Minnesota. They moved to Missoula by train in August 1948 with their year-old first child, seeking a job advertised that turned out to be no longer available, then taking a position as pressman for the University of Montana Print Shop, where he spent the rest of his career of 36½ years, retiring in March 1985.

"Willie" and Elsie loved to travel on family vacations, from East Coast to West, Canada to the Gulf of Mexico, often with the family camping trailer in tow and any number of his seven children. Favorite places were Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks, and nearby Seeley Lake, most frequently visited. Camping, boating and fishing provided many relaxing outings. He also enjoyed woodworking, photography, and flying small airplanes, owning a 1948 Cessna 140 for a number of years, now owned by one his sons. He was a long-time member of the Missoula Seventh-day Adventist church, serving as elder at one time, and as deacon for many years.

Wilfred passed away on Friday, June 5, 2015, at 92 years of age at his home in Missoula. He and Elsie would have been married for 69 years on June 15. A memorial service will be held on Friday, June 12, at 11 a.m. at the Missoula Seventh-day Adventist Church at 800 South Ave. W., and a graveside service will follow at 2 p.m. at Sunset Memorial Gardens on Mullan Road.

Survivors include his wife, Elsie of Missoula; daughters Diane Crider (husband Raymond) of Alberton and Lynda Knapp (husband David) of Boring, Oregon; sons John Steingas (wife Janice) of St. Paul, Minnesota, Roy Steingas of Missoula, David Steingas (wife Cheryl) of Karnack, Texas, Robert Steingas (wife Cathy) of Springfield, Oregon, and Gary Steingas (wife Amy) of Yakima, Washington; sister Donna Dehn (husband Ken) of Elk River, Minnesota, and brother Richard Steingas (wife Shirley) of St. Paul. He has 24 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

The family expresses their appreciation to Dr. Rebecca Hoover and Partners in Home Care Hospice for their part in Wilfred's care in his last months of life, and special thanks to daughter Diane Crider and son Roy Steingas for their committed care of both Wilfred and Elsie during the last many months. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Missoula Seventh-day Adventist Church building fund.
Read Wilfred Steingas's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.