Roy James Steinke, age 90, long-term Garrison farmer, passed on Wednesday, October 19, 2022, at St. Alexius Hospital in Bismarck after a short illness. Roy, the son of John J. Steinke and Lydia (Walcker) Steinke, was born January 6, 1932, in a sod house on the family farm three miles southeast of Garrison. The Steinke farm was initially settled by Roy's grandparents, John Steinke and Caroline (Peter) Steinke, and his teenage father, John J., in 1907, two years after immigrating from Klöestitz, Bessarabia, Russia. Roy was brother to sisters Anne (Neuhart), Esther (Schmidt), Caroline (Schlichenmayer), Ruth (Reinking), Agnes (Buckley), and Alma Jean (Moran), and Brothers Albert, John F., and Alvin and all preceded him in death.

Raised in a large family of 10 active children with 6 endearing sisters, Roy grew into a sweet, kind, and gentle man. As the youngest child of the family, all of Roy's sisters relished in treating him with love and attention. Roy graduated from Garrison High School in 1950. After the death of his father in 1955, Roy assumed responsibility of the farm. Roy never married but he was one of the most favored and revered uncles. All fondly remember Roy from holiday gatherings and visits to the farm. Quite smart intellectually, Roy was a lifelong learner who liked to read about the world. He loved farming, walking outdoors, current events, fixing things, and traveling. He was a quiet and reserved man who will always be remembered for his routines, gentle nature and humor (if you got to know that side of him).

The entire extended Steinke family is sad to hear of Roy's passing and we will greatly miss him as the last member of that generation.  Roy's endearing nieces and nephews include: Eldean (Neuhart) Vernon (who preceded Roy in death), John Alfred Schmidt; Paul Schlichenmayer, Wanda (Schlichenmayer) Behrens, and Darlene (Schlichenmayer) Johnson; Tim Buckley, Pam (Buckley) Seifert, and Gaye (Buckley) McKinney; Mike Moran, John Moran, Thomas Moran, and Susan (Moran) Zesbaugh; Jim Reinking, Jan Reinking, and Bonnie (Reinking) Blehm; Sharon (Steinke) Perez and Sandra (Steinke) Jones; and Jay Steinke and Jed Cory Steinke.

Great grandnephews and grandnieces include: Robert Vernon and Kathleen (Vernon) Roberts; Kerry Schmidt, Douglas R. Schmidt, John Alfred Schmidt, Jr., Debra (Schmidt) Mills, and Robert Roy Schmidt; Jaime Schlichenmayer, Jeremy Schlichenmayer, and Carol (Schlichenmayer) Kauk; Lynette Lauer and Lisa (Lauer) Nauman; Darren Johnson, Michelle (Johnson) Burt and Danielle (Johnson) Levey; Jonathan Buckley and Rachel Buckley; Erin (McKinney) Tidwell and Brinn (McKinney) Weaver; Kenny Moran; Guinevere Moran; Caitlin Moran, Lauren Moran, and Sean Moran; David Reinking and Kevin Reinking; Stacey (Reinking) Schweiger and Jamie Reinking; Ashley (Blehm) Anglin; Stephanie Richter, Kelly Richter, and John Richter; Jayme (Jones) Hawkins, and Samantha Jones; Jennifer (Steinke) Svanoe and Jed Cory Steinke; Grant Steinke.

Services are pending.