Mary Virginia "Ginny" Steger, 96, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Sunday Nov. 10, 2024 with family by her side. She is survived by her 11 children: Beth (Jerry) Northrup, Jan (Jim) Deahl, Laura (Lynn) Weaver, Amy Bair, Julie (Pat) Mungovan, Ted (Jayne) Steger, Ellen (Rich) Schneider, Chris (Carmel) Steger, Mollie (Phil) Reifenberg, Stephen (Julie) Steger, and Matt (Susan) Steger. Ginny was blessed with 36 grandchildren, 52 great grandchildren, and 7 great-great grandchildren.

The daughter of Edward and Virginia (Snouffer) Hilker, Ginny grew up in Fort Wayne and attended St. Patrick's grade school and Central Catholic High School. When Ed Steger returned from the navy after WWII, they married on June 23, 1949 and started a family soon thereafter. The growing family moved to a larger home on Effie Drive north of Fort Wayne in 1960. Once in their new home, she became deeply involved in the growing St. Vincent's parish and served in numerous volunteer capacities. Ginny worked as secretary in the Bishop Dwenger Guidance Department until her retirement in 1993.

A huge Chicago Cubs and Purdue Boilermaker fan, she followed the teams religiously and often carried on detailed critiques of their seasons even well into her nineties -- usually as she sat in her favorite swivel chair in the appropriate team's garb. Ginny was a world traveler too. She and her sisters took trips to Europe and cruised Alaska building many fond memories.

The Steger family matriarch had legendary cooking and gardening skills. Her bean soup, pot roast, and most especially, German potato salad recipes are closely guarded secrets to this day. She was one of the original cohorts to receive their Master Gardener certification in Fort Wayne.

Her husband Edward Steger, sisters Monna Lee Hilker and Marita Ann Duke, and her brother Edward Hilker, passed away previously. Family and faith were everything to Ginny. She cherished the gatherings of her large family, and lived her faith daily. All will agree she led an exemplary life, and even though she has passed, continues to inspire those who loved her each day.

A funeral mass will be celebrated at 11:00 am on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024 at Our Lady of Good Hope Catholic Church in Fort Wayne, with a visitation for one hour prior to the mass. The family will receive relatives and friends from 4:00-8:00 pm Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024 at Divine Mercy Funeral Home, 3500 Lake Ave., Fort Wayne, where a rosary will be prayed at 4:30 pm.

Memorial contributions may be made to: the planting of trees as offered on this website, the Fort Wayne Library Audio Reading Service, or Masses.

Online condolences may be left at www.divinemercyfuneralhome.com.