Muriel Steinhauer, 89, died Saturday, July 26, 2008 at Thief River Care Center in Thief River Falls, MN.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM Thursday, July 31 2008 at Zion Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, MN with Rev. Ale Tulu officiating. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Thief River Falls.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM with a 7:00 PM prayer service Wednesday, July 30, 2008 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN. Visitation will also be held from 9:30 AM until the time of services on Thursday at the church.

Muriel Otilda Lubitz was born on May 7, 1919 the youngest of three children born to Frederick and Clara (Raaf) Lubitz in Wylie, Minnesota in Red Lake County. Her mother and sister died when she was 10 months old and her father died when she was 10 years old. She was raised by her aunt and uncle, Emma and Fred Rux in rural St. Hilaire, MN. She graduated from the eighth grade in seven years of schooling.

Muriel worked as a hired girl in Thief River Falls before marrying Adolph Steinhauer on September 25, 1938 in Thief River Falls. They were married for 56 ½ years and farmed together in Excel Township, Marshall County, MN until retiring in 1979. They were Winter Texans together and she continued going to McAllen on her own after Adolphs death in 1995, for a total of 27 years.

The couple moved to Mavie, MN from 1979 until 1988, then to Thief River Falls until the present with the last 3 1/3 years at Valley Home.

She was an active member in the Nazareth Lutheran Church in Holt, MN. Muriel was active and held offices with the Ladies Aide and a Circle until her retirement then she joined Zion Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, MN. She was a member of the Eagles Auxiliary in Thief River Falls since 1962 and served as president two times.

Muriel loved watching nature and the weather, berry picking, fishing at Upper Red Lake, crafts, gardening and preparing and cooking meat. She enjoyed playing cards and word find books until right before her death. Her greatest love was time with her family.

Survivors include 4 children, Allen (Holly) Steinhauer, Janice (Dale) Svendsgaard, Gail (Angie) Steinhauer and Tommy (special friend, Peggy Bergsnev) Steinhauer all of Thief River Falls; grandchildren, Lydell Svendsgaard, Twila Race, Kyle Svendsgaard, Dominik Steinhauer, Morea Fernandez, Brandon Steinhauer; step-granddaughters, Laura Rude, Katie Ladner; great grandchildren, Samantha, Kimberly, and Nichole Race, Brooklyn Svendsgaard; step-greatgrandchildren, Morgan and Julia Rude, Tray and Kamry Ladner; she is also survived by several nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Adolph; parents; brother, Lawrence; sister, Leona; and granddaughter, Krystal Svendagaard.

Organist: Ida Nordvall
Selections: The Lords Prayer , Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus , & Steal Away
Congregational Hymns: Softly & Tenderly & When We All Get To Heaven
Honorary Casketbearers: Ken Hedlund, Don Klopp, Ken Grundhaus, Harold Steinhauer, Mike Baumann
Casketbearers: Lydell Svendsgaard, Kyle Svendsgaard, Dominik Steinhauer, Brandon Steinhauer, Twila Race, Morea Fernandez