Marjorie Steinkamp passed away unexpectedly at Carle Hospital on August 29. Beloved wife of Stanley, mother of Cathleen Weinert (Daryl) of Ann Arbor, Michigan, John Steinkamp (Sheri, deceased) of Champaign, Eric Steinkamp (Daniela) of Seattle Washington and Susan Sorlie (Pete) of Menlo Park, California. She is survived by a brother David Walker (Marilyn) of Normal. Beloved grandmother of Kyle, John, Kourtney, Ben, Lisa, Nathan and Olivia.

Marjorie was born on November 2, 1929 in Oelwein, Iowa. Her parents were Harold Nightingale Walker and Nelsine Camilla Bellman Walker. She graduated from Oelwein High School in 1947, and attended Wartburg College in Waverly Iowa, before graduating in 1952 with a BS in Pharmacology from the University of Iowa. Marjorie worked as a pharmacist at Mayo Clinic, and then at the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor. She met Stan on a tennis court in Ann Arbor, and married him in 1956. In 1975, she earned her doctorate in Educational Psychology from the University of Illinois. She worked as a research associate at the Children and Family Research Center at the University of Illinois until she retired in 1994.

Marjorie was devoted to her church and to her family. She was the first woman to serve as St. Matthew's congregational President. She was deeply committed to the youth of the church, teaching Sunday School, helping to lead Vacation Bible School and she was instrumental in developing a Wednesday night Cross Training program that continues today. She served as director of that program for two years. When the church helped to relocate families flooded out by Hurricane Katrina, Marjorie found time to work with and bring the children to church events. Above all she was a model of patience, kindness and grace for everyone who came to know her.

She loved her family. Her adult children looked forward to regular care packages, and gourmet meals and the crispness of freshly ironed pillowcases on visits. Her ready ear and open heart could be counted on. She was always ready for adventures with the family-even when activities like scuba diving and kids climbing on cliffs scared her.

She taught piano for many years, she then shifted to the harpsichord and studied with a succession of University of Illinois School of Music graduate students. Upon retirement, she returned to piano and studied with Vincent Trauth for nine years. Her favorite music was by J.S. Bach.

Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church at 11am, September 26.