Cecelia Kathryn Steenson
August 9, 1927 ~ October 29, 2023
Born in:
Karlsruhe, North Dakota
Resided in:
Fargo, North Dakota
Cecelia Kathryn Steenson, 96, passed away on Sunday, October 29, 2023, at Sanford Hospice House in Fargo, ND. Her family surrounded her with love as she left this earth for her heavenly home.
Cecelia was born on August 9, 1927, to Anton and Frances Dexheimer in Karlsruhe, ND. She grew up on a farm outside of Towner, ND, alongside eleven siblings. After attending school there and helping with farm and home chores while her brothers served in the war, she moved to Fargo, where she worked at the Manchester Biscuit Company, and then to Cummings, where she helped her sister on their farm. She met her future husband, Ralph Steenson, and on April 27, 1951, she married him in Camp Rucker, AL, where he was serving in the National Guard. After his discharge, they moved back to Cummings, ND, where they farmed on the family homestead until their retirement.
After retiring from farm life, Cecelia enjoyed time with her husband at their lake home in Minnesota as well as at a winter home in Phoenix. In later years, she moved to Fargo and wintered with her daughter in Tucson. Her last residence was at Edgewood Vista Assisted Living, where she received love and special attention from a kind and caring staff.
Cecelia was a quiet hero of rural life on the northern prairie—one of those unsung farmwives who supported her husband’s work, brought up four energetic rascals, kept an immaculate house, and sorted out whatever calamities came up during the day. Running vehicles between farmyard and field, herding children onto the school bus, cooking three meals a day, many of them packed and delivered to a husband too busy to leave his tractor, refereeing sibling squabbles and patching skinned knees, tending a big garden, tackling mountains of laundry, and still finding time to bake her legendary pies, cookies, brownies, and so many other treats—like so many of her friends on neighboring farms, Cecelia did this all with efficiency, persistence, and grace.
Faith was an important part of her life, and her beliefs informed her commitment to being a wonderful wife, mother, and grandma. She was a longtime member of the Cummings Evangelical Free Church (later the Riverside Evangelical Free Church) and served on many committees to support church missions or to serve meals for a variety of church functions. During her life and through her final days, she kept a worn book of Bible verses by her bedside, always there to comfort and guide her.
Cecelia was the central pillar of her family, and she will be greatly missed. She is survived by her four children, Jeffrey (Debra) Steenson, Brenda Steenson, Mark (Robin) Steenson, and Sylvia Kloster; her ten grandchildren, Kristina, Eric, John Mark, Ryan, Tana, Sierra, Pierce, Reece, Jordan, and Alexander; six great-grandchildren, Peter, Andrew, Oliver, Ivan, Bradyn, and Bauer; a sister-in-law, Ada Dexheimer, and a brother-in-law, David (Carol) Steenson; and many nephews and nieces.
Cecelia was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 52 years, Ralph; her sisters, Christine, Agatha, Mary, Katie, Julia, and Meg; and her brothers, Johnny, Balzer, Leopold, Lawrence, and Tony.
A Celebration of Life ceremony is being planned for a future date. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of the Red River Valley or to Hope Blooms. Arrangements by Boulger Funeral Home.
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The family greatly appreciates donations made to these charities in Cecelia Kathryn Steenson 's name.
Hospice Red River Valley
Headquarters 1701 38th St. S. Suite 101
Fargo,
North Dakota
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Your mother was a beautiful woman inside and out. On the occasions that I was able to chat with her, I loved her wit and humor. She always seemed to have a twinkle in her eye and a smile on her lips. May you find peace in knowing she has joined your dad in heaven. Hugs to you and your families as you remember your mom and share stories of her now and for generations to come.
my sympathy,
Marilyn
Brenda, your mom lived a beautiful life, we are glad that we were able to meet her while she lived here in Tucson with you and Zephy. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers!
Love,
Cameron
Love,
Cameron
Thanks, Cameron. I’ve told you many times how much Mom admired you and your brother. Your thoughtful note is an example of why she saw you as such a nice young man. Zephyr and I love knowing that you and your family are just down the street from us. We’ll share memories of Miss Cecelia for years to come!
Thank you, Marilyn. You’ve been a good friend all these years to Sylvia, and I’ve been able to benefit a bit from that friendship by virtue of sisterhood! We appreciate your kind and encouraging words about Mom. Blessings to you as you care for your own mother. Cherish the moments; as you wisely note, they will become memories that you’ll carry with you forever.
Wishing you and your family peace, Brenda. Thinking of you
Thank you, Rob. I appreciate all your caring words over the past weeks since Mom’s death. You’re a good friend!
Deepest Sympathies to you all at this difficult time.
Thank you, Dave. Our family appreciates your sympathy, and it was thoughtful of you to sign this guestbook.
Sylvia, Mark, Brenda and Jeffrey,
Thinking of all of you during this difficult time… I will always remember your mom’s beautiful smile and what a beautiful friendship my mom shared with her… I picture them enjoying a cup of coffee in Heaven and catching up.
Mothers are so special and their loss is painful. May you find comfort in sharing the good memories you had with her.
Thanks so much, Dawn. Mom missed Lois so much, and you can be sure they have been having an epic catch-up in Heaven–with Cliff and Dad continuing to wonder what their wives possibly could be talking about for hours and hours on end! Our parents truly were the “greatest generation.” I miss all four of them, but you’re right about the memories. We have countless recollections of priceless moments!
Our sincere sympathies on your mothers passing, she was a beautiful woman inside & out!
Thanks, Darlyn and Jim. Mom was alway so appreciative of the terrific influence you had on her grandsons!
Dear family of CeCe and Ralph,
My aunt, Tina Steenson, Hillsboro, ND often remarked how grateful she always was for Ralph and CeCe
and the love, care and concern they gave her. She held them both in highest regard. Blessed be their
memory.
Paul, we really appreciate your note. Tina was a lovely woman, and I always enjoyed visiting with her–early on when she lived at Thilda’s house and later when she was in her apartment. Mom and Dad had the same admiration for her. Their memories are great blessings, indeed.
Jeff and families, I am so sorry for your loss! Sounds like she lived a wonderful life. May your many memories of her comfort you. You are in my thoughts and prayers!
Thank you, Debi. Just in case Jeff isn’t checking in on these comments, I wanted you to know that all of us appreciate your kind words as well as your thoughts and prayers.
I am sorry for your loss… Your Mom sounds like she was an incredible woman!! I will keep you and your family in my prayers. I would love to touch base .
Sincerely,
Michelle Murray
925-321-9724
Thanks again, Michelle, for your note. I really appreciate your kind thoughts. It was good to reconnect with you, and I hope we’ll be in touch again soon.
My deepest sympathy to you and your family. What a full life and wonderful family she raised with Ralph!! I will keep you all in my prayers during this difficult time.
Kathy Smart
Thank you, Kathy, for reaching out to us. It means a lot to hear from old friends across the miles during a sad time like this. Mom lived a great, long life and occupied a big space in all of our hearts–we will miss her a lot. I know you experienced a similar loss when Irene passed away, and because of that, I know your condolences are deeply felt.
Oh I loved grandma ❤️ she always asked about me on her calls with Alex. I’m grateful for all of the love she had for me in the last 5 years of knowing each other.
That’s very sweet of you, KaoLee! She thought about you and Alex often, and I’m glad you had the opportunity to get to know her.
Our deepest sympathies.i have many fond memories of Cecelia. She was a true friend to my parents and was a kind, welcoming, and generous woman of faith. May you all have comfort in your memories.
Kim, it’s so thoughtful of you to comment here. You’ve had the painful experience of losing your own mom a couple years ago and your dad just this year, so I know you’re keenly aware of all the emotions we’re going through right now. Mom was especially fond of Shirley–both for her warm and wonderful personality and also for her fiercely faithful spirit in facing all the health challenges that came her way. She spoke of her often when we reminisced about the good old days at church. Thank you for your kind note, and may you, too, be comforted by good memories.
My sincere sympathy to Brenda and family. My mom(Dorothy Halvorson) and your mom had some good talks when their husbands were on bank board. No matter the age, it’s a void in our life. Hugs to all of you.
Thank you, Nancy. It means so much to me that you took a moment to post your condolences here. Both of my parents thought highly of your mom and dad, and I think those bank board years did give them a good chance to get to know each other better. Both of our moms lived long lives after losing their husbands, and it provided you and me with the opportunity to have a different, deeper sort of relationship with them as we transitioned from daughters to confidantes to caregivers. Despite how hard it was to see the challenges of aging, I wouldn’t have traded those years for anything, and I’m sure you feel the same. Their presence will always be just a memory away, and the good memories are countless.
Thanks so much, Marie. Mom never stopped being a mom, and one of the things that she was happiest about was that I was living in a neighborhood with such great friends next door–that there were good people who could keep an eye on me! I know how much family means to you, so I know you understand how it feels to lose the person at the very center of family. Even though the good memories last forever (and, in fact, get even better over the years!) the empty space left behind also lingers. I appreciate you recognizing that by sharing your condolences here. Blessings to you in return.
Sylvia Morales ( daughter of Narciso & Jesus’s Morales from San Antonio Texas
Sylvia, what a wonderful surprise to hear from you! I remember very well those summers when your family was in ND working for Dad. I’m pretty sure, in fact, that Mom named my younger sister after you! Your brother used to hang out with my older brother, and I recall being very impressed that he used his bare feet to brake the bicycle instead of the bike brake. We were just crazy kids back then! Your family was part of our farm life for many years, and it means a lot to hear from you now decades later. Blessings on you and yours!