Obituary
The Reverend Doctor James L. Steinbrecher
The Reverend Doctor James L. Steinbrecher, 74, passed away April 21, 2016 at Hillview Health Care Center in La Crosse. He was born March 1, 1942 to August and Loretta (Rees) Steinbrecher in Wichita, KS. He married Sandra Cushman on July 12, 1980 in Stoughton, WI.
James enjoyed story-telling, jokes, magic tricks, traveling in their motor home, Door County trips, his beloved pets, sailing on his sailboat, the Green Bay Packers, music, singing, theatrical performances and the German Heritage.
He was a Pastor to hundreds through their life milestones- countless baptisms, weddings and funerals. Yet he was best loved for his Preaching, bringing the Grace of God’s love to as many people as he could. James was ordained at First English Lutheran Church in Oshkosh in June 1968. He then accepted calls to serve at Olivet Lutheran Church, La Crosse, WI, St. Paul’s Liberty Lutheran, Deerfield, WI, and St. John’s Lutheran, Reedsburg, WI. After taking a short retirement leave in 2005, he served as interim Pastor until 2015 at churches in Kendall, Wilton, Hustler, Viroqua, Arkdale, Richland Center, Mauston, La Crosse and Nekoosa.
James is survived by his wife, Sandra; children, Suzann (Neil John) Wolf of Kenosha, WI, Bethany (Kurt) Skalitzky of Waterloo, WI, Timothy (Chelsey) Steinbrecher of Holmen, WI; step-daughters, Gretchen Gibbons (Boyd Hillestad) of Madison, WI, Julie Gibbons of Sun Prairie, WI; brother, John (Barb) Steinbrecher of Fon du Lac, WI; sister, Sara Mitchell of Grove City, OH; grandchildren, Susie, Holly and Spencer Wolf, Hans, Josef and Sara Skalitzky, Kade and Quinn Steinbrecher, Kirsten (Alex) Conrad, Adam and Paige Smithback, Jenna and Sara Hillestad; and several loving nieces, nephews and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, and his brother A. Frederick Steinbrecher.
The family would like to give heartfelt thanks to the wonderful staff at Hillview Health Care Center and the exemplary care given over these past weeks.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 30, 2016 at 10:00 am at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 401 Mill St, Wilton, WI. The ELCA La Crosse Synod Bishop James Arends will officiate. Visitation will be held from 9:00 am until the service at the church on Saturday. Fellowship and lunch will be held immediately following the service at the Wilton Community Center. Coulee Region Cremation Group of Onalaska is assisting the family.
To view his memorial video please click the link below:
https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/B3WR39HLPMSNX5WK
So sorry for your loss.
I returned to church after a 20 yr absence in 1992. Dr. Steinbrecher was a wonderful preacher and his messages kept me coming back. He was the one who reaffirmed my Baptism, and in 2004 assisted me in starting the Parish Nurse program at St. John. His door was always open and he was easy to talk to. The ELCA has lost an awesome Pastor.
So sorry for your loss. I’ll keep the family in my thoughts and prayers.
So sorry for your loss, Sandy.
My heartfelt sympathy to your family. Dr. Steinbrecher was a great man. He married my husband and me. Was wonderful to my family. Prayers to all of you.
Thank you for your ministry at St. John, Reedsburg. I have a fond memory of the wedding ceremony you did for daughter Sarah Roloff and Jeffrey Grabarec. Peace be with you. Bob Roloff
Sandy and family,
My sincere sympathy to you and your families. Dr. S was very involved with family weddings and Dale’s funeral. Much appreciated. My love and care to you. May many good memories bring a smile to your heart. Thoughts and prayers are with you. Love, Beverly Hoege, Reedsburg.
I had the privilege of listening to Pastor Steinbrecher’s worships in Wilton on Sunday mornings. His words were powerful and I will never forget the messages and meaning in his sermons. They were ones that influenced my life and for that I will never be able to express enough gratitude. Hearing this news saddens me greatly, however I know he is with us in spirit. May he rest in peace.
Our heartfelt sympathies to the family.. Pastor Steinbrecher married us almost 41 years ago at St Paul’s Lutheran church in Deerfield Wi.
He was a wonderful man. Brought me up in my faith I Deerfield. My sympathy to you all. You will be in my prayers.
So very sorry to hear of the passing of Pastor Steinbrecher. My sincere sympathy to you all. He certainly made a difference in my life and I have very fond memories of my associations with him. I especially remember the 2-year commitment to study “The Bethel Series” in your home was Pastor Jim as the excellent teacher and other fellow St. Paul’s Liberty Lutheran friends was a great experience. His comfort at the time of the loss of my mother and the support he provided to my two young sons at the time was greatly appreciated. The written obituary was a very appropriate tribute to a man who spent his life in the service of others. Again, my sincere sympathy to you all and I’m sure all the wonderful memories you have and the support of each other will help you through this difficult time.
Pastor Steinbrecher meant so much to my family during his service in Deerfield, WI. More then words can describe. Thank you and may this great man rest in peace.
Mike Fosso
Thousand Oaks, CA
Formerly from Cottage Grove, WI
My prayers and deepest sympathies to the family of Pastor Jim Steinbrecher. He did an excellent job communicating The Message for Fountain Trinity when he was with them. I will never forget his Chrismas Eve service at Fountain, the best one. . . I think all hearts were definitely open after that service.
I am so sorry to hear of your loss.
Sandy, we truly are very sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. We know that he will be missed. We are so happy that we had the opportunity to know him, worship with him and be friends. Our deepest sympathy to you and your families.
I know the pain of losing a loved one is so difficult, and the hurt so deep inside that you feel it will always be with you. But God gives us the gift of His peace so that you can go on; so you can smile again; and so you can remember just how special they were. All those precious memories will stay with you – always and forever. Tim and Chels told me about the cardinal! What a special blessing:)
Sandy you’ve been in our thoughts and prayers since hearing of Jim’s passing. The past three years have been so difficult for you and your family. Hopefully you can find happiness in the memories you have of Jim. Our condolences to you and your family.
I will remember Dr. Steinbrecher for his wonderful preaching and teaching, his organizational skills and most of all for his friendship. He was a good man and a servant of God through and through. He will be missed.
Our condolences to Sandra and the family. We enjoyed Pastor Steinbrecher during his time at St.John’s. He and Sandra were always friendly to us, being new to the area. I am sure he will be missed by all who knew him.
My condolences to the family. I did not have the privilege of being a member of any of Jim’s congregations, but my memories of Jim go back to the time when we were both sort of mavericks at Wartburg College in the early 1960s. He had flowing black hair then and impressed me with his abilities in music, theater and writing. Based on other comments, it appears his ministry efforts since then will certainly be missed.
I am so sorry. My prayers and sympathy to the family. I will always remember Pastor Steinbrecher as part of my church life as I grew up.
I knew Jim way back when he was at Olivett “in the old days”. I remember his sense of humor and kindness. I am honored to have known him.
My father, Hamlin Gangstad, was chair of the church council during Pr Jim’s time at Liberty Church in Deerfield. He totally felt Pr Jim was the best thing that had happened to Liberty Church in a long time and that he was the best pastor my dad had ever had. Although I was living in another state, when I returned for a visit, I remember agreeing with Dad’s assessment of Pr Jim and always thought his sermons were thought-provoking and inspiring. Everyone he met was blessed by the experience. May the love of God bring you comfort and strength and the promises of Jesus bring you hope!
Suzi~
I have such fond memories of your dad; I was lucky enough to know two different sides of him. “Pastor Jim” was our long time minister at St Paul’s (did you say 15 years?!) and I was lucky enough to be one of your many childhood friends. I spent countless hours over the years at your house and knew the man as “Suzi’s dad”. You, Beth, Tim and your families, along with Sandy, Gretchen and Julie and all the other loved ones your dad leaves behind will be in my thoughts and prayers??
Much Love~
Chris
Pastor Jim came to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in La Crosse, WI at the same time our daughter Wendy Jo Smith arrived back in La Crosse to spend her final days living with end stage breast cancer. The timing could not have been better for our family, Pastor Jim was compassionate and cared for our family as if he had known us a lifetime. We will be ever grateful for his visits to our home and conducting her funeral service. Wendy was only 47 years old those nine years ago. Thank you Pastor Jim – God Bless your family.
Sincerely, June Knudtson
We are so sorry to hear of the passing of Pastor. He@ Rev.Allen Wahl (PASTOR AT St. LUKES in Middleton, Wi) married Us on Feb.25,’84 at St Pauls Liberty, Deerfield…we so loved this wonderful man and lost contact when Pastor&Sandy moved…..Blessings…..
Saddened to learn of Jim’s passing. Jim shepherded us through some difficult times. His love and compassion along with his practical experience brought God’s love and grace to life. He will be missed.
Dear Susan, Beth & Tim,
We are sad to learn of your dad’s passing. He was a good man and pastor who taught both Bill & I a great deal while members of Liberty Lutheran.
We are sorry to see that your mother’s name was not included in his obit.
Please know that our prayers are with each of you at this time in your lives.
Love to each,
Bill & Bonnie Young
Summerville, SC
This is a lovely tribute for a wonderful man. Sandy (and family): my deepest condolences. May your memories sustain you–and over the years they sort of do that. Much love, Priscilla