Clement Allen Steinauer

Clement Allen Steinauer (August 23, 1929- September 30, 2022), was one of eight children born on the homestead of his great-grandfather west of Steinauer, Nebraska to Ernest Rudolf and Frances Marie (Rucker) Steinauer.  Upon the death of his mother, two-year-old Clem went to live with his grandmother Mary A. (Vrtiska) in Steinauer.  He grew up in her home, shared also by his aunt Lydia Morrissey and cousins, attending St. Anthony’s parochial school through eighth grade.

 Clem graduated from Steinauer High School in 1947 and was a star basketball player.  Upon graduation he went to work for the Nebraska Department of Roads and Irrigation and was one of “Lobdell’s Raider’s” – the 370th Engineer Construction Group, a U.S. Army Reserve Unit.  Clement retired in 1996 from Roads after 47 years and 8 months, which at that time made him the second longest employee of the state.  During the course of his career he had taken part in the construction of approximately 75 bridges in southeast Nebraska.

Clement married the love of his life and best friend Mary Darlene (Donelan) Steinauer on January 18, 1954 and together they raised five children in Tecumseh.  Clem embraced living and the land, farming east of Steinauer and engaging over time in a wide range of activities and interests ranging from raising cattle to wine making, bee-keeping, tree cultivation and history.  He enjoyed time with friends, neighbors, and relatives hunting and fishing, playing golf, and taking their money in cribbage and pitch games.  He was a former member of the Tecumseh Country Club and was a longtime member of St. Andrew’s Catholic Church.

Remembered for his kindness, devotion to his family and extended family, and the usual smile on his face, he has left behind to mourn him his children Karen Steinauer of Lincoln; Daniel (Sallie) Steinauer of Lincoln; James (Susie) Steinauer of Lincoln; John (Renae) Steinauer of Bellevue; Joan (John) Juergens of Purchase, NY.; grandchildren, J. August (Gus) Shoemaker, Mackenzie (Evan) Sheaff, Sara (fiancé Elijah Carlisle) Steinauer, all of Lincoln; Emilie and Kaitlin Steinauer, both of Bellevue; Claire and Pierce Juergens, both of Purchase, NY.; his sister Sheila Schlaebitz of Gretna; beloved cousins Jeanine Munoz and Larry Durante; several brothers and sister-in-laws and many nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, grandmother, wife, brothers Ronald, William (Billie Jo), P. Nicholas (Nick), and Ernest Jr.; sisters, Maureen Bovick and Joan Monzingo; and beloved aunt and cousins Lydia Morrissey, Jerome Morrissey, Laurence (Spide) Morrissey, and Claudine Schafer.​

Mass of Christian Burial Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, October 5, 2022 at the St. Andrew Catholic Church in Tecumseh, Nebraska with Father Christopher Kubat and Father Tom McGuire officiating.  The service was also livestreamed on the Wherry Mortuary Facebook page  and a link to the livestream is now available at the bottom of Clem's webpage.    

Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with family greeting friends from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, October 4, 2022 at the Wherry Mortuary in Tecumseh, Nebraska.  Rosary will be recited at 6:00 p.m.

Memorials may go to the family’s choice.

Interment will be at 2:00 p.m. in the St. Anthony Catholic Cemetery, Steinauer, Nebraska.

Online condolences may be left @ www.wherrymortuary.com.

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