ARLEEN DORIS STEINKE

Steinke, Arleen

Arleen Doris Steinke (nee Jeffery) passed away peacefully, at the age of 84, on Friday, April 13, 2018 at Rainycrest Long Term Care Home in Fort Frances, Ont.
She leaves behind her husband, Jack; son, Robert (Gaye) and children, Meredith and Corey, of Vail, Colo.; daughter, Tammy (John) and children, Jaclyn of Calgary, Alta. and Jonathan (Nicci) Bock and great-granddaughter, Nora, of Edmonton, Alta.; son, Jeffery (Janice) and his children, Carly and Taylor, of Fort Frances, Ont.; and son, Patrick (Sherri) and her children, Tyler, Braeden, and Jaelyn, of Thunder Bay, Ont.
She also is survived by her sister, Esther Dodd of Sault Ste. Marie; as well as many nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her parents, Delia and Robert Jeffery; brother, Stanley and sister-in-law, Pat; sister, Roberta; brother-in-law, Don Dodd; nephew, Daniel Jeffery; parents-in-law, Walter and Adeline Steinke; and her loving “second” parents, Maurice (Frenchy) and Mary (Mamie) Vaillancourt.
Arleen was born on June 23, 1934 in Fort Frances to the late Delia and Robert Jeffery. She married John Elmer Steinke (Jack) on Dec. 9, 1955 and lived her entire life in Fort Frances, raising her family and watching over her special sister, Roberta.
She touched the lives of many with her love of cooking and entertaining. She was an accomplished host and graciously welcomed everyone into her home. Arleen was an adventurous cook and was making Chinese dishes from recipes in her special cookbook long before it was popular.
Most of all she, enjoyed spoiling her grandchildren with attention and love.
Arleen and Jack were very active advocates for improved opportunities for the mentally challenged. She worked as a cook for several years at Sybil Russell Hall and developed many enduring relationships.
Arleen courageously battled rheumatoid arthritis from the age of 16 until her passing. Despite her ailments, she always found time for her family and friends.
Arleen enjoyed listening to her family share their adventurous travelling stories. She also enjoyed sewing, quilting with her special quilting friends, and crafting her entire life.
She was a longtime member of the C.W.L. and Red Hats.
A celebration of life will be held Tuesday, May 8, 2018 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Fort Frances.
If friends so desire, in memoriam tributes can be made directly to the Arthritis Society of Canada c/o Green Funeral Home, P.O. Box 427, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M8
Online condolences may be offered at www.greenfuneralhomefortfrances.com
Arleen will be truly missed by family and many dear friends. We will forever hold you close to our hearts.