Steffi Bierig

Steffi Bierig, 98, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in the midst of family and loved ones at Belmont Village Senior Living in Westlake Hills, TX. She was embraced by one and all during her three years as a resident.

Born in Berlin, Germany in 1926 to Dr. Isert and Rosalie Lewin, Steffi, her older brother John and their parents suffered years of persecution during the Hitler regime. She and her family were able to escape to America very late in 1939, settling in Chicago’s Hyde Park. In 1950, on a blind date, Steffi met her late husband, Jerry Bierig, whom she married in 1951, and together they raised their children, Joel and Debbie, in Chicago’s South Shore, before moving to south suburban Flossmoor in 1968. After almost 50 years in Flossmoor, Steffi relocated to Texas to be close to family.

In spite of all the adversity she experienced, including surviving the Holocaust, breast cancer and the loss of her husband 30 years ago, Steffi was a born survivor who always looked forward, never back.

Steffi mastered every skill she decided to learn. Even as a senior, she embraced computer graphics, databases, spreadsheets and other technology—to the level of teaching others in her age group at the local JCC. She was a generous philanthropist, and made an important impact in the Jewish community.

It was often said about Steffi that “Die Steffi kann alles” (Steffi can do everything), and indeed she was a very successful businesswoman, meticulous administrator, talented artist, very capable homemaker, and of course, the quintessential Jewish mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, adored by her kids, her four grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

Steffi is profoundly loved by her surviving family, son Joel (Barbara) Bierig of Frisco, TX; daughter Debbie (Ricky) Rudy of Austin, TX; grandchildren Emily (Brian) Luvera of Austin, TX; Ethan (Perri) Davenport of Dallas, TX; Rebecca Bierig (Joseph Cohen) of The Colony, TX; Brian Bierig (Dr. Emily Shelkowitz) of Seattle, WA, and great-grandchildren Sadie and Asher Luvera; Aviva and Maya Davenport, and Levi Cohen.

Steffi was predeceased by her beloved husband of 43 years, Jerry, as well as every other family member of her generation. Through the blessing of her longevity, Steffi emerged as the matriarch of the family, fondly remembered by her many nieces and nephews for her kindness, generosity, hospitality and fun-loving spirit. Her passing marks the end of an era. She will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her.

A graveside service will be held Thursday 12:30 PM at at Jewish Oakridge Cemetery, 4301 W. Roosevelt Road, Hillside, IL 60162. Weinstein & Piser Funeral is in charge of arrangements.

Those wishing to honor Steffi can make a donation to Shalom Austin, 7300 Hart Lane, Austin, TX, 78731, http://www.shalomaustin.org/tributes.