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Steninger, Richard 'Dick'
Richard “Dick” Steninger, formerly of Cedar Rapids and Iowa City area, left his journey on earth to join his Heavenly Father on Nov. 26, 2013. He was a loving husband and father who served not only his family but many others in his church, business and Cedar Rapids community. Funeral Mass: 11 a.m. Saturday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, where a visitation will begin at 10 a.m. The Rev. Christopher Podhajsky will officiate. Burial: St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Iowa City. Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Dick was born in Latonia, Ky., on June 17, 1926, to Richard Crosier Tyson and Dorothy Anne Pickering. His grandmother, Barbara Pickering, raised him after the death of his parents when he was 2. He attended school in Iowa City, Iowa, graduating in 1944. Dick enlisted in World War II and served as a tail gunner and photographer from 1944 to 1946, leaving the Army Air Corps as a Staff Sergeant.
In 1945, Dick married the love of his life, Mary Ellen Beasley, in Iowa City, where they made their home until moving to Cedar Rapids in 1954. He worked for Northwestern Bell Telephone Co. for 38 years.
Dick served many in the community in various organizations, including All Saints Church, Catholic Layman's Club, Churches United, member and officer in CWA Local 7101, Boy Scouts of America, Democratic Party, Telephone Pioneers and Ad hoc instructor, University of Iowa Bureau of Labor and Management. He was the recipient of the Boy Scouts of America Silver Beaver Award and the Catholic Layman of the Year Award.
He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Mary Ellen Steninger; a daughter, Diane Sondrol of Decorah; a son, David (Rose Anne) Steninger of Cedar Rapids; his grandchildren, Karn (Jon) Pankow, Erik Sondrol and Sarah Steninger; and his great-grandchildren, Ethan Pankow, Jonah Pankow, Taryan Barrick and Mara Pankow.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and an infant son, Richard Steninger.
Family would like to extend a special thanks to his doctors, nurses and aides for the special care given to him.
Please leave a message for the family on the Web page www.cedarmemorial.com under obituaries.
Memorials may be sent to Immaculate Conception Church.
Published Nov. 28, 2013 in The Gazette
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