Obituaries : Jeanette Kay Steffen

Jeanette Kay Steffen, 62 years old, of Vinton, Iowa, and formerly of rural Waterloo, Iowa, died Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics following a sudden illness.

Funeral Services will be 10:30 a.m. - Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Gilbertville, Iowa, with burial at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Gilbertville.

Visitation will be 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Monday, February 23, 2026, at the White Funeral in Jesup, Iowa, where there will be a vigil service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue for an hour before the services on Tuesday, at the church.

Jeanette was born April 3, 1963, in Oelwein, Iowa, the daughter of Norbert Peter Schares and Leona Anna (Meier) Schares. She attended school in Dunkerton, Iowa, and graduated from Dunkerton High School with the class of 1981. On August 20, 1983, she was united in marriage to Kevin Francis Steffen at St. Francis Catholic Church – Barclay, rural Dunkerton.

Before current membership at St. Joseph Catholic Church – Raymond, Iowa, Kevin and Jeanette were active at St. John’s Catholic Church in Waterloo. They made their home for over 35 years in rural Waterloo, near Raymond, prior to moving to Vinton in 2020 to be closer to their children and grandchildren. While in Waterloo, Jeanette worked at Northwestern Mutual Insurance for 15 years, but soon realized being a homemaker was what brought her true happiness. She helped friends and family with day care and loved raising her family. Jeanette was always involved with her children’s activities as they grew up, and now loved being active in her grandchildren’s activities. She never wanted to miss an event and loved being “Grammy.”

Jeanette always put others first. Her greatest pride and joy were her grandkids and kids. She would gladly do anything, anytime, anywhere for any of them. Her example led others to always do their best. Jeanette loved simple living. She was truly down-to-earth, easy to talk to, and by far the best listener. She cared more about others than herself. She was happiest when she was helping others, especially with projects around the house – both inside and outside. Everything about her was organized and efficient. She could not rest until everything was done and put away. Our lives are better because of her and will never be the same without her. She will be greatly missed.

Jeanette is survived by her husband of 42 years, Kevin Steffen of Vinton; one son, Zach (Kellie) Steffen of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; two daughters, Jill (Steve) Scanlan of Beaman, Iowa, Abby (Matt) Berry of Vinton; seven grandchildren, Dakota, Josie, and Tanner; Ethan and Liam; and Mieka and Arya; four brothers, Michael (Amanda) Schares, Andrew (Donna) Schares, Jeff (Debbie) Schares, Bill Schares all of Dunkerton; five sisters, Patricia Ehr of Cedar Falls, Iowa, JoAnn (Bill) Weber of Independence, Iowa, Marilyn Steggall of Fairbank, Iowa, Marge (Rich) Grady of Dunkerton, Iowa, Joyce Rubalcaba of Stockton, California; also her mother-in-law, Margaret Steffen of Dunkerton, Iowa; and numerous other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, George Schares, Thomas Schares; two sisters, Carol Brandt, Dorothy Adamson; and her father-in-law, Cletus Steffen.

Memorials may be directed to the church and to the family to be given to other organizations that were important to Jeanette.

Online condolences may be placed at www.White-MtHope.com.
White Funeral Home, Jesup, Iowa, is in charge of arrangements.