April 29, 1949 - January 17, 2024

“To love another person is to see the face of God.”

Joseph (Joe) Lee Steepleton was born the ninth of 12 children on April 29, 1949, in Vinton, Iowa to Frances and Mahlon Steepleton. His early years were filled with the love (and chaos) of a large family and instilled in him the deep faith that would carry him through the rest of his life. A quiet and studious child, Joe spent many happy hours in what he came to think of as his own special corner of the Vinton public library. He’d walk the short couple blocks from his home and escape into the countless other worlds books had to offer. This love of exploration and learning would become hallmarks of his life.

In 1959, Joe’s family packed up and moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa when his father, Mahlon, received a promotion with his company, Borden’s Ice Cream. There, Joe attended LaSalle High School, learning from the Christian Brothers who introduced him to their mission of service through education. As a teen, he worked at Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, where he honed his skill at making the perfect pizza sauce.

As Joe considered his options after high school, in a pivotal moment, his father asked him, “You can go to college, or you can get a car - which do you think will last you longer?” He chose college, attending Western Illinois University in Macomb, Illinois, where he majored in biology. Lucky for him that he did because this is where Joe met the love of his life, a fiery redhead named Maureen. They were both heavily involved in politics at that time, and their mutual friend, Mike McGann, arranged to have them work the same shift, campaigning for Robert Kennedy at the student union. They hit it off right away and began hanging out regularly.

Joe was home visiting from college one day when his mother observed, “Who is this Maureen person? You talk an awful lot about her. Are you in love with her?” This stopped him in his tracks. “You know, I’ll have to think about that,” he said. The rest, as they say, is history. Joe and Maureen married in her hometown of Nauvoo, Illinois at Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church on June 26, 1971, on the hottest day of the year with the fish flies congregating four-feet deep by the river. It was a day no one could forget!

One of the greatest joys of his and Maureen’s lives was the arrival of their daughter, Amanda, in March 1986, after many years of wishing to start a family. Joe and Amanda enjoyed a special and close relationship. He was her teacher, cheerleader, and safe harbor from storms large and small. From an early age, Joe indoctrinated her to the greatness of Star Trek and recruited her as his number one helper for handy tasks around the house. He taught Amanda everything she knows about exterior holiday illumination. In high school, Joe took her to see her first Broadway shows, cultivating a lifelong love of theater. Visits to the Twin Cities, where Amanda settled as an adult, included trips to the State Fair, Renaissance Festival, Guthrie Theater, Twins games, farmer’s markets, and a favorite little patisserie with the best almond croissants.

Joe’s early experience with the Christian Brothers shaped what would become a nearly 40 year career as a steadfast champion for Catholic schools. He taught science for 16 years (and coached many prize-winning science fair students), inspiring young minds first at St. John’s Catholic High School in Bancroft, Iowa and then at Wahlert Catholic High School in Dubuque, Iowa. He went on to earn his Master of Arts from Loras College, before moving into administration. Over the years, Joe served in eight school systems and six states. One of the great honors of his professional life was to return to his alma mater, LaSalle High School, as principal, from 1994 to 1998. In 2011, Joe and Maureen finally landed in Austin, Minnesota, closer to Amanda. Wherever he went, Joe brought with him his philosophy for education that every child can be successful.

Outside of work, Joe enjoyed many hobbies and interests. He was an avid gardener, amateur woodworker and painter, antique thrifter, family ancestry investigator, sci-fi aficionado, and history buff, with a particular interest in Rome and the Civil War. He spent many afternoons napping in his recliner chair with a football game on (his advice, always root for the home team), though he would insist he was “watching that” to anyone who dared change the channel. He loved his dogs, the latest of which was Caramel, whose favorite pastime was snuggling on Joe’s lap sharing his heated blanket. Most of Joe’s Facebook friends also know he was a wonderful cook from the mouthwatering photos he posted, to the envy of all.

Throughout his life, Joe maintained his passion for the poor and marginalized. He volunteered for several years at the Dorothy Day hospitality house in Rochester, Minnesota and became a staunch advocate for immigration reform, after visiting Annunciation House in El Paso, Texas, a shelter for migrants, where Amanda worked for a time.

Joe’s later years were challenged with chronic health problems for both his wife and himself. He retired early to care full-time for Maureen, which he did diligently and with tenderness until her death in 2014. Following this, Joe worked part-time at a local farm store, Runnings, which allowed him to keep busy and meet a few good friends. He was also able to fulfill two lifelong dreams, taking solo trips to both Rome and Disney World! Despite declining health as time marched on, Joe remained stubbornly determined to live. In fact, he cheated death on so many occasions that his sister started calling him the “miracle man.” Many thanks to our friend Drey and the home healthcare workers and homemakers who made it possible for him to remain in his home for nearly all his life.

As he adjusted to life as a widower, Joe also found a new vocation in writing. He took great pride and joy in his work and loved nothing more than hearing from his readers. He made writing a daily practice and could often be found in the morning enjoying his coffee and chocolate almond biscotti - Spotify list playing and Youtube fireplace roaring - with his laptop open and fingers steadily clicking away. When he was in the zone, the rest of the world fell away, and he could work for an entire day (much to poor Caramel’s dismay!). To date, Joe has 26 published novels, spanning the genres of historical fiction, murder mysteries, young adult fantasy, and more. Several more are to be published posthumously. All can be found on Amazon.

In his last months, Joe expressed no fear of death and said he had no regrets. He’d lived his life to the fullest and believed absolutely that he would be reunited with his beloved Maureen and so many other loved ones he dearly missed. Joe died peacefully at Our Lady of Peace Hospice in St. Paul, Minnesota on January 17, 2024. True to form, one of the last things he ate was a cup of strawberry ice cream. He always said, “Everything looks better after ice cream.”

Joe is preceded in death by his wife Maureen Steepleton of Austin, Minnesota; parents Mahlon and Frances Steepleton of Cedar Rapids; sister Joyce Peachee of Waterloo;  brothers Jerry, Jim, John, and Stephen Steepleton of Cedar Rapids; and brother Patrick Steepleton of Nevada. He is survived by his daughter, Amanda Steepleton of Minneapolis, Minnesota; sisters Carolyn Curtis, Janet Metz, Joan Fox, Julie Wilson, and Mary Roemig of Cedar Rapids; and many nieces and nephews.

He will be greatly missed and remembered for his kindness, intelligence, and humor. A memorial service and celebration of life will be held Saturday, April 27, 2024, beginning at 11 AM until 2 PM, at the Knights of Columbus Hall at 1620 E Avenue NE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Please see the events section of this website for more information.

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