LINCOLN NEB., FORMERLY BELOT – Bonnie Rae Altman Steiner was born on April 6, 1934 in Wilber NE to Robert and Lydia Altman. She was welcomed by big sister Twila and big brother Lyle. Bonnie died on December 2, 2025 in Lincoln NE at age 91. She and her siblings’ lives came full circle, with all three residing at the Wilber Care Center prior to Bonnie’s death.
After graduating from Wilber High School in 1952, Bonnie attended the University of Nebraska where she was a member of Gamma Phi Beta sorority. She transferred to Doane College after meeting her husband-to-be, Hal Steiner, who was a Doane student. Bonnie joined Phi Sigma Tau sorority and earned an associate degree in elementary education.
Bonnie and Hal were married on June 6, 1954 at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wilber. During their first year of married life, Bonnie taught fifth grade in Crete, NE while Hal finished his degree at Doane. She became a homemaker when they moved to Lincoln, NE and Hal began his life-long career with State Farm Insurance. Two children, Susan and Timothy, were born in Lincoln. After moving to Columbia MO in 1959, their third child, Stormy, was born. Their next stop was Salina KS where Hal became a State Farm Agent and in 1963, they moved to Beloit KS as Hal established an insurance agency. Bonnie was his office assistant until they retired in 1995.
Bonnie was a very active member of the Zion Lutheran Church. She spent many hours participating in volunteer work with the Lutheran Women’s Organization (WELCA), playing in the Bell Choir, sending out greeting cards as the card steward, and delivering Meals on Wheels. Bonnie volunteered for the American Cancer Society. She was instrumental in the startup of the volunteer program at Solomon Valley Hospice and served on the advisory board. In 2016, she was honored with a reception for her 50 years of volunteer work with hospice patients and their families. Bonnie was also a member of Mitchell County Hospital Auxiliary, volunteering as a “Pink Lady” for many years. Socially, she was a member of the Ad Volens Club, the Beloit Country Club, and enjoyed many years of playing bridge in several bridge clubs. She called herself a “sports nut” and followed the Beloit Trojans, Creighton Bluejays, Oregon Ducks, and the KC Royals until she could no longer.
Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents and parents-in-law, husband Hal, son Tim, sister Twila, brother Lyle, brothers-in-law Gene and Richard, sister-in-law Barbara, nephew Jerry, daughter-in-law Mary, and many life-long friends. She is survived by her daughters Susan and Stormy, son-in-law Peter, grandchildren Cassie, Mick, Hannah, and Daniel; great-grandchildren Lydia, Louis, and Hans, as well as nieces, nephews, grand nieces, and grand nephews. She will be missed.
A Memorial Service will be held at Zion Lutheran Church in Beloit on March 21, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. and will be followed by a light lunch. Bonnie requested that any memorials given in her name be sent to Zion Lutheran Church, 621 N. Mill St. Beloit, KS 67420.
