Henry Edward Steenhoek Jr

Henry Edward Steenhoek, Jr., our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, at age 86 on September 26, 2021. He was loved and adored by Ada Carol Pearson Steenhoek (deceased), his wife of 51 years, Virginia Dolinar Steenhoek, his wife of nine years, his ten children and their spouses, his 46 grandchildren, and his eight great-grandchildren.

Henry (“Hank”) was born on April 29, 1935, in Monroe, Iowa as the seventh of nine children to Vera and Henry Steenhoek. Hank was blessed with a loving family and lived a simple life in Iowa. When he was five years old, Hank’s mother heroically saved his life from a kitchen fire that ultimately burned down the family home. 

Hank played sports and served in the Navy Reserve while in high school. Shortly after graduation, he joined the United States Air Force. While serving in the Air Force, stationed at Hill Air Force Base in Utah, Hank was set up on a blind date with Ada Carol (“Cathy”) Pearson. They fell in love and, shortly after Hank was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, they were married on December 23, 1960. Hank and Ada were sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple one year later. They initially lived in Montana and Utah and then moved to Southern California, where they raised their children and lived for 45+ years.

Hank retired from the Air Force after eleven years of service. He then earned a BS in accounting from Weber State University and later received his MA in business from the University of LaVerne. Hank enjoyed a successful career as an accountant, working for Arthur Anderson, MGM, Rockwell International, McDonnell Douglas, and Boeing.

Hank dedicated his life to loving his family, following Jesus Christ, and serving Him through serving others. He especially loved sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which brought him so much joy, with others. He taught and baptized his parents, his sister, and many friends. He served as the bishop of the Bellflower Second Ward in the Cerritos West Stake from 1975-1980. He also served full-time in the Los Angeles Temple from 2003-2008 and later served in the Mount Timpanogos Temple. From 2008-2010, Hank and Ada fulfilled their lifelong dream of serving a mission together in Manchester, England.

From the time he was 12 years old, Hank loved to bowl. He bowled as much as possible, and as a teenager, Hank worked as a pin setter. After a ball was bowled, he would jump in the pit at the end of the lane, retrieve the pins, set them up, and roll the ball back to the bowler. For his efforts, Hank was paid 8 cents per game per bowler. Hank began bowling professionally at age 17 and bowled on the Air Force bowling team for years. He has bowled his top score of 299 (one point from perfect), 30 times! Hank also loved reading, nice cars, banana cream pie, liver and onions, country music, classic movies, the Dodgers, the Lakers, and BYU sports.

Hank is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 51 years, Ada Carol Pearson Steenhoek, his daughter, Lisa Carol Steenhoek, siblings, Beverly Steenhoek, Willadean Steenhoek, Paul Steenhoek, Wendel Steenhoek, Robert Steenhoek, Bill Steenhoek, and his mother and father, Vera Pauline Berkenbosch Steenhoek and Henry Steenhoek.

He is survived by nine of his children, Daniel Steenhoek (Pamela), Paul Steenhoek, Teresa Almond (Matthew),  Debra Shaw (Marvin), Stephen Steenhoek (Shannon), Patricia Birchall (Nathan), David Steenhoek (Heidi), Shauna Erickson (Michael), Cynthia Hermen (Mark), 46 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, his wife of nine years, Virginia Dolinar Steenhoek, and his brothers Ron Steenhoek and Dick Steenhoek.

Henry Edward Steenhoek, Jr.’s Celebration of Life will be Saturday, October 2nd, at 11:00 a.m. in the Highland Westfield Building at 6411 West 11800 North, Highland, UT.

For those unable to attend in person, please join us on Zoom: 

Celebration of Life for Henry Steenhoek, Saturday, October 2 at 11:00 am

https://byu.zoom.us/j/98248096188?pwd=QmxLYUpQU0hXSTRKRWNEMG9QdzRWUT09

The Viewing will precede the funeral services from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Interment, Clearfield City Cemetery