Angelic voices of grandchildren singing carols, ushered their dear Grandmother into heaven on Christmas Eve. Nancy passed away peacefully after a very brief illness just a day and a half before her 72nd anniversary. She was finally reunited with her loving husband, John.
Nancy Grace Landgraf was born in 1927 to Howard Maynard and Genevieve Marie Landgraf. She attended St. Sebastian, Holy Angels and graduated with a Bachelor of Art degree from Mount Mary College. She married John Edward Steigerwald on December 26, 1949 and raised 9 wonderful children in Elm Grove spending summers in Eagle River.
Nancy was devoted to her Catholic faith and we were the blessed, fortunate recipients of her daily prayers. She had incredible energy and love for her family. We rarely saw her sit down. She thought nothing of feeding our friends when we’d bring them home for lunch. Nancy was very involved with St. Mary’s, Elm Grove Woman’s Club, Garden Club, substitute teaching and luncheons. Her incredible artistic talent provided tremendous opportunities to bring joy to countless recipients of her work. Whether it was a portrait of a child, pet or barn, she truly captured the essence and brought the subject to life. We have a record of 353 paintings that we know of. She was very generous with donating them to auctions or as gifts.
John and Nancy had a delightful retirement in Fountain Hills AZ for many years before Nancy returned to Milwaukee after Dad passed. She quickly made new friends and loved the times with her sisters Marilyn and Virginia while living in a beautiful apartment at San Camillo. She especially loved the Bel Canto choir, daily Mass, the dining room, and exercise class but mostly the ability to see her children and grandchildren more often. Thank you Mark and Joe for having Mom over every week.
Our Mom will be greatly missed by her children; Kathy O’Brien (Bob), Peter Steigerwald (Mary), Mark Steigerwald (Toni), Mary Luedke (Gary), Ann Hauptli (Jim), Joan Steigerwald, Joe Steigerwald (Patty) and Meg Lund (Bill). There are also 104 grand and greatgrandchildren that will be missing their Grandma. She will be greatly missed by her sisters; Marilyn Hartmann and Virginia Halaska, sister-in-law Mary Soltero and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband John E. Steigerwald, son John H. Steigerwald, granddaughter Martha Talbot, sister Joan Brennan, brothers-in-law; Robert Hartmann, George Halaska, James Brennan and Donald Soltero, nephews Steven Halaska and Donald Soltero Jr.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial may be made to the Art program at St. Mary’s School or The Petawa Cultural Center in Brookfield. Their motto is Inspiring Women, Strengthening families and Enriching Culture. Petawa.org.
Services will be held on Monday January 3rd at St. Mary’s Church Elm Grove. Visitation at 9:00 with Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30.
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