Myrne M. Steininger

Myrne M. (Smith) Howe Steininger, of Tempe, AZ, passed away on February 3, 2015. Myrne was born on a farm near Primghar/Paullina, Iowa on January 24, 1916. She was the daughter of Marie (Andersen) and Clarence Smith. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Donald.

Myrne’s mother immigrated to the United States from Denmark with her parents and many siblings. They settled in the Primghar area.

Myrne graduated from high school at age 16 and from the University of Iowa, at age 20, in 1936. She was an educator for over 30 years. Her first teaching job was in Oneida, Illinois. There she met Dean Howe. They married in 1939. Five children were born to this union. They are Dean Howe (Swartz Creek, MI), Don (Alice) Howe (St. Ignace, MI), Maurine (Bill) Mattingly (Clinton Township, MI), Judy Clark (Traverse City, MI) and Jane Corwin (Mesa, AZ). She was grandmother to Christine (Tim) Present, Michelle Darga, Paul (Michelle) Gabler, Matt Howe, Jennifer Howe, Aariel and Karla Corwin. She had three great-granddaughters: Megan Present, Sahara Darga, and Lilliana Love. Myrne and Dean spent the majority of their married life in Ypsilanti, Michigan, raising their family.

Myrne’s husband, Dean, died in 1990. They had moved to Friendship Village in Tempe, AZ in 1987. After Dean’s death, she met Dr. Wilbur Steininger, also a village resident. They met on the bus from the village that took residents to church at St. Matthew United Methodist Church in Tempe. They married and had 13 wonderful years of world travel and companionship until Wilbur’s death in 2004. Myrne was also dearly loved by her long-time caregivers, Rhoda Thomas and Dottie Jaster.

Myrne’s greatest joys in her life were her family and close friends. She was a voracious reader who “consumed” books. She also loved to watch college football and at one time, when Jane called, she told her she couldn’t talk because she was watching the University of Iowa play. Her wit and sense of humor were monumental and well known by many. She was dearly loved and will be missed by so many.

A memorial service is being planned for April at Friendship Village.