Virgil Steger, 97

Virgil E. Steger, 97, of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, formerly of Mansfield, SD, passed away on Wednesday, September 10, 2025.

A graveside committal service will be held at 3:30 p.m., Thursday, September 18, 2025, at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Mansfield, SD, with military honors.

Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements. Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.schriversmemorial.com.

Virgil was born January 3, 1928, to Ernest and Hulda (Bokelheide) Steger. He grew up on the family farm homesteaded by his grandfather in 1888. He grew up with his sisters, Avis (Priest) and Evelyn (Herther).

He attended school in a one room schoolhouse and later attended Central HS in Aberdeen SD through 11th grade when he was needed on the farm. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in rural Mansfield, SD.

Virgil served in the U.S. Army from 1951-1953 during the Korean War, and he was stationed in Korea and Japan.

He met Mary Ruth Scobey while roller skating at the Aberdeen skating rink. They were married on November 5, 1951. The couple were blessed to be married 73 years. He very much enjoyed ice fishing, fishing, and hunting. Farming was Virgil’s life and they were blessed with twin sons, Jay and Jerry, son Daniel, and daughter Sonja.

In 1999, Virgil and Babe moved to Bartlesville, OK, and have lived there ever since. They attended Bartlesville First Church of the Nazarene and were involved with the Senior Adult ministry. They enjoyed playing Hand and Foot, Pegs and Jokers, and Fast Track. Virgil served as custodian at the church for over 20 years.

Virgil was survived by his wife, Mary Ruth (Babe); sons, Jay (Lana), Daniel (Melissa); daughter-in-law, Sherry Steger; daughter, Sonja (Brian) Jenner; sister, Evelyn Herther; 10 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and many wonderful friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents; son, Jerry; granddaughter, Erin; and sister, Avis.