Lois JoAnn Steinke

Lois JoAnn Steinke, 89, of Union Pier, passed away on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at her home surrounded by family.

JoAnn was born on March 28, 1936, in Aetna Township, Morley, Michigan, the daughter of the late Marvin and Sadie (Mast) Pruetz. On September 4, 1954, she married her high school sweetheart, Herman Steinke, and he preceded her in death on August 14, 2008.

Survivors include four children: H. Dean (Linda) Steinke, Karen Ellingson, Kevin (Stacie) Steinke, and Kristi (Tom) Marrapode; nine grandchildren: Ryan (Emily) Ellingson, Kyle (Andrea) Ellingson, Sarah Steinke, Leah (Pat) Miller, Adam (Denise) Marrapode, Nick (Sierra) Marrapode, Ashley (Luis) Flores, Matt (Virginia) Marrapode, and Jake (Kat) Marrapode; seven great grandchildren: Owen, Cora, Nathan and Thomas Marrapode, Elia Jo and Emery Flores, and Charlotte JoAnn Ellingson; brother, Edward (Joyce) Pruetz; two sisters: Nancy Pruetz and Peggy (Mike) Farnsworth; and several nieces and nephews.

JoAnn was also preceded in death by son-in-law, Fred Ellingson; and two brothers: Lowell Pruetz and Monroe Pruetz.

A funeral service will be held at 4 PM on Sunday, October 12, 2025 at Pike Funeral and Cremation Services, Boyd Chapel, 9191 Red Arrow Hwy., Bridgman, MI 49106. Friends may meet with the family before the service on Sunday at the funeral home from 3-4 PM. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery, Bridgman at 9:30 AM on Monday, October 13. Memorial contributions may be given to Hospice at Home, 4025 Health Park Lane, St. Joseph, MI 49085. Online condolences accepted at www.PikeFH.com.

JoAnn will be lovingly remembered for her creative and competitive spirit. She had a lifelong passion for crafts – especially painting, sewing, and card making – and found joy in teaching and sharing these passions with family. A devoted game player, she especially loved cards and dice, and remained a fierce competitor even at 89. A proud University of Michigan fan, JoAnn never missed a chance to cheer on the Wolverines and was always ready for game day.

When raising their family, JoAnn and Herm enjoyed a large garden, loved to fish, and had lively perch fish-frys with friends and family. They were also avid square dancers and active members of the Village Squares Square Dance Club.

JoAnn was the cherished matriarch of her loving extended family – the steady, guiding presence at the heart of it all. She was the glue that held generations together, and family members came from near and far to gather at her beloved home in Union Pier, Michigan – especially for the 4th of July week. Her greatest legacy is the close bond she nurtured within her family. Through home-cooked meals and sweet treats, lively games, and countless hours spent together on the lake, she brought people closer in the most heartfelt ways.

Her legacy also lives on in the deep love of lake life she so generously shared. Whether it was perch fishing, hunting for indian beads on beach walks, or sunset bonfires, JoAnn took pride in passing along these simple joys and traditions to those she loved.

Arrangements are entrusted to Pike Funeral and Cremation Services, The Boyd Chapel, 9191 Red Arrow Hwy., Bridgman.