Vivian Claire (Holm) Steinkamp, age 76 of Des Moines, IA, formerly of rural Wall Lake/Breda, IA, passed away peacefully at her home on August 13, 2023, surrounded by her family.
Vivian was born on May 19, 1947, in Davenport, IA, to parents Vernon and Valeria (Malmloff) Holm. At a very young age her family moved to Iowa City, IA, where she attended school and graduated from Iowa City High School in 1965, home of the “Little Hawks”. This is when her love for the Hawkeyes began. She continued her education at the University of Iowa and became a lifelong dedicated fan.
On June 27, 1970, Vivian was united in marriage to Dennis Steinkamp of Breda, IA, at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Breda. They began their life together and started a family in true Steinkamp fashion by farming. They settled south of Wall Lake and continued the tradition of raising their family on the farm. Vivian was a homemaker and farm wife while raising their four children Shawn, Tasha, Carrie, and Crystal. Later in life, Vivian worked outside of the farm at various locations as an office receptionist. She always enjoyed playing cards and bowling with friends and neighbors. Once retired, Vivian and Dennis moved to Des Moines where they enjoyed their time together traveling and following the Iowa Hawkeyes, attending many bowl games and events.
However, Vivian’s biggest priority was her family. She enjoyed countless hours attending various activities of her children and later in life grandchildren, especially. She could be found sitting in the bleachers at their sporting events cheering them on as their biggest fan. Vivian always looked forward to the fall season for Iowa Hawkeye Football to begin. She was a seasoned “tailgating host” and enjoyed friends, family, and fans at the corner of Elliott and Hawkins Drive in Iowa City. Her passion for Iowa Hawkeye sports was passed on to her children and grandchildren. Rest assured she has been reunited with her husband Dennis and together they are singing the Iowa Fight Song in God’s beautiful paradise, where even there, every day is a good day to be a Hawkeye…Go Hawks!!
Those who mourn her passing include her children Shawn Steinkamp of Des Moines, IA; Tasha Steinkamp of Des Moines, IA, Carrie Howe of Des Moines, IA, and Crystal (Joshua) Drilling of Eyota, MN; grandchildren Jace and Kinsley Drilling and Dylan Steinkamp; sister Darlene Blayney of Eustis, FL; brothers-in-law: Leon (Dorothy) Steinkamp of Grand Meadow, MN, Luvern Steinkamp of Adams, MN, Dean Steinkamp of Lee Summit, MO, Neil Steinkamp of Lake View, IA, and Orlin (Myra) Steinkamp of Wall Lake, IA; sisters-in-law: Mildred Steinkamp of Wall Lake, IA, Renee Steinkamp of Carroll, IA, and Micki Steinkamp of Spirit Lake, IA; along with many extended family members and friends.
Vivian was preceded in death by her husband Dennis Steinkamp; parents Vernon and Valeria Holm; parents-in-law Lawrence and Estella Steinkamp; brothers-in-law Ambrose Steinkamp, Mark Steinkamp, Timothy Steinkamp; and sisters-in-law Linda (Joseph) Klein, Alice Steinkamp, Mary Steinkamp, and Marie Steinkamp.
