Eileen Steckman

Eileen is survived by her loving husband Ronald. Adoring children, Bryan, Pamela Joe Opatz, Kristen, Bree Tom O'Conner. Grandchildren, Sydnee, Simon, Sophia, Nicholas, Sullivan, Dashiell. Sisters, Elaine Horan Johnny Brenham, Helen Mattila Roger. Eileen was preceded in death by parents; Edward and Eva Salmela; sisters, Vivian Earl Maikkula and Muriel J. Kelly; and brother, Lee E. Salmela. Eileen Karen Steckman was born August 29, 1942 to Edward and Eva Kokko Salmela in Cokato, MN. A devoted wife and mother, Eileen was an accomplished stained glass artisan, world traveler, great cookie baker, creative duct tape user and Jeopardy! Enthusiast and all around best mother, wife, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend ever. We seriously LOVE her Eileen passes on a legacy of uncommon wisdom, pragmatism, and humor to her four children and six grandchildren, embodied by her resonating refrain, "If wishes were horses then beggars would ride, if horse chips were biscuits we'd eat 'til we died." Which was frankly lost on her children until the day before yesterday; except for her youngest that's me!. Clearly, Eileen's guidance, love and support are still sorely needed, however, in true Steckman form we will soldier on, THANKFUL. "Don't cry because it's over, Smile because it happened." Dr. Suess