Howard Stegmann

Howard Stegmann, 95, a lifelong resident of Marshalltown, passed away March 23, 2022 under the care of Iowa River Hospice, with family at his side, after a long battle with kidney disease and a recent fall. Howard Sylvester Stegmann was born in Marshalltown on May 29, 1926 to Sylvester (Mike) and Hazel (Kendall) Stegmann. He grew up during the hard times of the Great Depression working with his older brother Eugene in his father’s sheet metal and hardware shop. Howard also held a paper route where he met his future wife, Eleanor Anne Rickman. He had a strong work ethic throughout his life. Howard graduated from Marshalltown High School in 1944 amidst WWII and enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserves to become a fighter pilot like his older brother. Prior to reporting for duty, an accident in his father’s shop left him blind in one eye ending his military career. He continued working with his father in the sheet metal business after the war and reconnected with Eleanor while she was attending Iowa State University. Their shared interests included target archery shooting, and they were married in 1949. Howard converted the sheet metal business into Stegmann’s Sports Shop, which received national recognition for award-winning window displays. Howard was a longtime supporter of the Marshalltown community serving in many different capacities including president of the Marshalltown Little League, president of the Marshalltown Community Y, treasurer of the Marshall County Historical Society, receiving Layman of the Year and Marshalltown Chamber President’s awards. Howard returned to school earning his BA in Economics and Public Administration from Drake University. He continued his community involvement by serving on the Marshalltown City Council as 5th Ward councilman. He then ran for and was elected to four terms as mayor of Marshalltown from 1976-1984. He was instrumental in expanding the transportation system in Marshalltown with the 3rd Street-6th Street, 18th Avenue, and 3rd Avenue viaducts, as well as the Nevada Street Crosstown and Marshalltown Municipal Airport runway extension. As mayor, Howard also acquired the land to develop the 6th Street Softball Complex. After serving as mayor, Howard was employed as business manager of the First Baptist Church in Marshalltown. In his spare time, Howard was an enthusiastic outdoorsman with a passion for hunting and fishing. He was noted as the first in Marshall County to harvest a white-tailed deer with bow and arrow in modern times. He loved working with his hands, creating stained glass and sheet metal crafts, trying his luck at casinos, traveling with Eleanor to warmer climates, historic sites, and visiting family members. Howard was preceded in death by his parents and brother. Left to cherish his memory is his wife Eleanor of 72 years, and their 5 children, Sally (John) Sunderland of Denver Colorado, Marilyn (Jim) Downs of Marshalltown, Janet (Tim) Wuest of Cedar Rapids, Robert Stegmann (Rhonda Albertson) of Stone Lake Wisconsin, and Mike (Janet) Stegmann of Marshalltown. Grandchildren include: Emma Sunderland, Sadie (Tony) Geary, Martin (Katie) Downs, Joel (Dani) Downs, Leslie (Eli) Hargrave, Amanda (Tadd) Reilly, Amelia (Jeremy) Driscoll, Abigail (Tomy) Hillers, Samuel (Rogz) Stegmann, Julia (Brandon) Inda, Sarah Stegmann, Allison (Nicholas) Laney, and Nicholas Stegmann. Great-grandchildren include: Cooper, Rebekah, Ellie, Michael, Maggie, Leah, Philip, Brianna, Isabella, Attalia, Teagan, Truett, Jules, Maverick, Dutch, Dulcinea, Duke, and Sophia. A gathering to celebrate Howard’s life will be held Monday, March 28 at Journey Church in Marshalltown. Friends and family are invited to a visitation from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., followed by a service at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Jacob Rahrig officiating. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Marshall County Conservation Board or Marshalltown Christian School. Mitchell Family Funeral home is handling arrangements, and online condolences may be offered at www.mitchellfh.com. Ph 641-844-1234.