Marian Cecelia Steins

Marian Cecelia Steins, age 96, of Long Beach, CA, passed away peacefully on May 16, 2019, surrounded by her five children.

Marian was born on Nov 22, 1922, to Frank and Helen (McElligott) Ryan. She was the second oldest of six children. She spent her childhood on the family farm near Ryan, Iowa. She attended country school, a one room building, where grades 1-8 were taught. She graduated from St. John’s High School in 1940. She enrolled in Ottumwa Heights College, and in the fall of 1941, she returned to the rural country school, that she attended as a child, to be the primary and only teacher for the next three years. At that time, her youngest sister, Rita, and youngest brother, Bernard, were among her students. In the fall of 1944, she took a teaching job in the town of Jolley, IA. She taught there for two years, teaching primary grades K-1. Following these years, Marian decided to head west, to California. There were plenty of teaching jobs available at that time, so she accepted a position in the city of Norwalk, and decided to reside in one of the fastest growing U.S. cities, Long Beach. She joined St. Anthony parish and their Catholic single’s group, called the Antonian Club. This is where she met the love of her life, Russell Joseph Steins. They were married on October 28, 1950. They settled in Long Beach and raised their five children in the home they purchased on Studebaker Road. Marian raised her family always instilling in them, her strong faith in God, service, and love to one another. Her Christian ministry included: attendance of daily Mass, volunteering at St Joseph Church, visiting the sick, attending bible study classes, and her special commitment of prayers and service for the respect of life.

Preceding Marian in death were her parents, Frank and Helen Ryan; husband, Russell; great-granddaughter, Taylor Panunzio; daughter-in-law, Gitana Steins; siblings, Donna Talley, Bernard Ryan, Louis Ryan, and Rita Landherr.

Marian is survived by her five children; Jim Steins, Gary Steins, Tom Steins, Anne (John) Jensen, and John (Jo) Steins, seven grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, sister; Rose Marie Ryan, dear family friend; Mary Ellen Harvey; sister-in-law, Shirley Ballister; brother-in-law, Gerald Landherr, many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A Rosary Prayer Service will be held at 7:00 pm on Thursday, May 30, 2019, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Long Beach, CA. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 am on Friday, May 31, 2019, at St. Joseph Church. Interment at Riverside National Cemetery, 11:31 am, Monday, June 3, 2019.

Donations can be made in Marian's memory to, Precious Life Center, https://www.preciouslifecenter.org

Luyben Dilday Mortuary (562) 425-6401