Beatrice Pauline Ostby Steinke

Beatrice Pauline (Ostby) Steinke, 103, of Appleton, Minnesota, passed away on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at the Appleton Care Center in Appleton, Minnesota. Visitation will be held from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. on Friday, September 12, 2025, at Zion Lutheran Church in Appleton, Minnesota, followed by the funeral service at 1:00 p.m. Burial will be held at the West Bank Cemetery following the funeral service.

Beatrice “Bea” Steinke, the daughter of Bernt and Petra (Torgelson) Eliason was born May 17, 1922, in Kragero Township, Chippewa County, Minnesota. She was born on Syttende Mai which was always special to her due to her full Norwegian heritage. Bea was baptized July 2, 1922, at Big Bend Lutheran Church and confirmed on May 24, 1936, by Rev. Jensen at Big Bend Lutheran Church.

Beatrice grew up on their family farm in the Big Bend area, Swift County, Minnesota. She attended country school in Swift County, Minnesota, and graduated from Appleton High School in 1939.

On October 12, 1939, Beatrice married Elmer Ostby at Beatrice’s family home. Rev. Jensen officiated the ceremony. They farmed in West Bank Township for 40 years and raised seven children: Eldon, Barbara, Sharon, Curtis, JoAnn, Timothy, and Jerome (Jerry.) Beatrice was a homemaker on the family farm and was a 4-H leader and Sunday School teacher for many years. Beatrice and Elmer loved being at their lake home and fishing.

Beatrice and Elmer moved to Appleton, Minnesota, in 1980. She worked at Pioneer Public TV, was a foster grandparent at Appleton Elementary School for nine years and sold Avon for 30 years. Elmer passed away on September 16, 1981.

Beatrice married BoDo Steinke on December 30, 1995. They enjoyed traveling to many places during their 20 years together. BoDo passed away on April 6, 2015.

In the fall of 2014, Beatrice entered the Appleton Care Center until the end of her life. She loved all the people who worked there. They were all kind and helpful to her. God bless them all.

Beatrice enjoyed reading, doing ceramics, music, dancing, and traveling. Her beautiful flower garden was her main hobby and talent. Flowers brought her joy. Beatrice lived life through her strong faith. She was incredibly kind, patient, and resilient. She loved her family more than anything.

Beatrice is survived by her children: Eldon (Patty) Ostby of Montevideo, MN, Barbara Boelsen of Alexandria, MN, Curtis Ostby of Appleton, MN, JoAnn (Jerry) Lindstrom of Brooten, MN, and Jerry Ostby of Appleton, MN; 17 grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren; 35 great-great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Betty Eliason; six stepchildren; many nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Beatrice was preceded in death by her husbands: Elmer Ostby and BoDo Steinke; son, Timothy Ostby; daughter, Sharon Munsterman; great-granddaughter, Elizabeth Norman; son-in-law, Richard Boelsen; parents, Bernt and Petra (Torgelson) Eliason; in-laws, Fred and Martha (Berven) Ostby; brothers: Lowell (Hilda) Eliason, Ray (Kathy) Eliason, Gordon Eliason, and Elmer Eliason; sisters: Eudell (Ernest) Anderson, Verna (Melvin) Olson, Marilyn (Tony) Thompson, and Erma (Lorne) Catlin; brother-in-law, Arthur Ostby; and sister-in-law, Adeline (Florien) Olson.