Patrick Jay Steepleton peacefully passed away January 23rd 2019 at Humboldt General Hospital following a brief illness.
Patrick was born March 19th 1954 to Mahlon Emerson Steepleton and Frances Aten Steepleton in Vinton, Iowa. Number 10 of 11 children, he grew up in Cedar Rapids, Iowa with his siblings Joyce, Gerry, Carolyn, Jim, Janet, Joanie, Julie, Joe, Stephen, and Mary.
After college in 1974, Patrick ventured out west and moved to Santa Rosa, California. While working at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital in 1982, he met the love of his life Laurel Louise Ballinger. They married in 1983 and in the following years, they were blessed with 3 girls – Sara Louise (1985), Ashley Frances (1984), and Lindsey Lee (1990).
To escape the busy California life, the family moved to Minden, Nevada in 1991.There Patrick started his sales career with Schwan’s Food Service Company.
When the opportunity came available to take over the #2 Schwan’s sales route in the division, the family moved to Winnemucca in 1996.
Patrick’s favorite part about working for Schwan’s was getting to know the people of Winnemucca. He greatly enjoyed visiting with people, sharing stories, and being welcomed into their homes.
Before his retirement, Patrick was the manager of Winnemucca Airgas store where he enjoyed his love of sales and people.
Patrick was an active member of the community and participated in several groups and clubs over the years, such as the Lion’s Club, Make-A-Wish, and Humboldt County Search and Rescue. He was described by many as thoughtful, funny, and caring and was always eager to show anyone he could pictures of his girls and grandchildren.
Patrick was a diehard San Francisco 49ers and San Francisco Giants fan. And true to his Iowa roots, he was a loyal Iowa Hawkeyes fan. He hardly ever missed a game and loved watching them with his wife Laurel.
But what Patrick truly loved most in life was spending time with his wife, his daughters, and his grandchildren. He so looked forward to birthdays and holidays because it was a time his family would be together.
He is survived by his wife Laurel Ballinger Steepleton, daughters Sara Steepleton, Ashley Andrews, and Lindsey (Sadeler) Sherbondy, grandchildren Braydon and Abigayle Andrews, Lucas Sherbondy, siblings and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family in Iowa, brothers-in-law Erne (Raima) Ballinger, Larry (Carolyn) Ballinger, Lynn (Debbie) Ballinger, sister-in-law Gayle Ballinger, and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family in California.
He is preceded in death by his parents Mahlon and Frances Steepleton, sister Joyce Peachee, and brothers, Gerry Steepleton, Jim Steepleton, and Stephen Steepleton.
Due to winter weather, a memorial service will be held at a later date when it is safe for family to travel.
