Alan Steinhoff

ALAN RAY STEINHOFF was born May 20, 1947 to Ray & Betty Steinhoff in Adrian, MN. He was raised at the family home near Magnolia, Minnesota. He attended St. Adrian Catholic School in MN until moving with his family to Lake Benton, MN in 1954. He attended District 10 Country School through 4th grade and graduated from Lake Benton High School in 1965. Alan graduated from Dakota State University in 1969, received his Master’s Degree in Education in 1991 from SDSU, Brookings SD and Specialist Degree from Mankato University of MN in 1993. He taught History, Social Studies, and Physical Education at Wanamingo MN, Hendricks MN, Astoria SD, Verdi MN, Glencoe MN, and Russell Tyler Ruthton. He coached football and basketball throughout his 30 years of teaching.

Alan married his high school sweetheart, Joyce Otkin of Verdi, MN on June 10, 1972 at St. Leo Catholic Church, Pipestone, MN. Three children were born to this union, daughter, Sandi and two sons, Scott, and Skip. The family purchased an acreage in Altona Township, Pipestone County, MN in 1979 and spent the rest of their married life turning it into the home of their dreams. Alan started with a few head of Black Angus and built up his herd through the years to make his small Cattle Ranch dream a reality. Alan enjoyed spending time with his cattle, or “His Girls”, as Joyce called them.

Alan, too, jumped on the band wagon to go south, as Seniors do, so he bought Joyce his sister’s house in Brandon SD. The whole family enjoys their southern home.

Alan often said he never worked a day in his life because he enjoyed everything he did from Teaching, 25 years of Driver Education for the young and the Senior Citizens, baling hay and fixing fence for his “Girls”, teaching Religion at St. Leo’s and Coaching Football and Basketball. Alan’s family put him in charge of the “No Fun Committee” as they watched 4th of July Fireworks from the top of a loaded hay rack of bales.

Fun for Alan included motorcycling with Joyce (40 times to the Black Hills of SD), Yellow Stone, Northern MN and Fall leaf trips to see the beautiful colors. Alan enjoyed hunting with his sons, annual pheasant and deer hunting was bonding time. Alan’s 8 years of “Friday Night Out with the Boys” consisted of being a part of Steve Krause’s Football Refereeing team. The family’s love of sports especially softball, football and basketball brought him great joy. Daughter Sandi attended her first basketball game at the age of 3 days old to watch Dad coach. The kids grew up spending most of their summers being part of “The Verdi Softball Family.” Many Sunday nights, they were carried in from the car by their Dad and tucked into bed wearing ball park dust, ending another successful fun Softball Tournament weekend. Alan was blessed to be part of the adult men’s basketball team that claimed the MN 1986 “Class D State Championship,” coached by Alan Carpenter of Lake Benton. After retirement Alan worked part time as a Pipestone County Jailer.

Alan is lovingly remembered by his wife, Joyce of 49 years; children, Sandi Steinhoff-Muller (Tom) of Pipestone, MN, Scott Steinhoff (Katie Gilloffo) of Chaska, MN, and Skip Steinhoff (Casie Goebel) of Pipestone, MN; five grandchildren, Tia Muller, Tyenna Muller, Taylin Muller, Summer Steinhoff, and Anthony Steinhoff; sister, Barbara Coulter of Brandon SD, and brother, Steve (Bonnie) Steinhoff of Alameda, CA; sister-in-law, Joyce Otkin of Fulda MN; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Alan was preceded in death by parents, Ray & Betty Steinhoff; grandparents, John & Anna Cox and Joe & Lena Steinhoff; brother-in-law, Dan Coulter; mother & father-in-law, Melvin & Marie Otkin; and brother-in-law, Wayne Otkin. Blessed be his memory!