Meribel Steiner, 95, formerly of Walnut Grove, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, at White Pines of Blaine. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Walnut Grove. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Walnut Grove Funeral Home, and will continue one hour prior to the service at church on Thursday.  Burial will be in Walnut Grove Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Redwood Area Hospice.

Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice.com.  Stephens Funeral Service – Walnut Grove Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Meribel Dahms Krentz Steiner was born on May 6, 1922, in Walnut Grove, to Martin and Jessie (Cole) Dahms. She was baptized in the Congregational Church and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church, both in Walnut Grove. She graduated from Walnut Grove High School in 1940, and then attended the Minnesota School of Business in Minneapolis. She worked for the founder of Ace Hardware and at Honeywell in Minneapolis, as well. 

On June 20, 1944, she married Martin Krentz and moved to Baltimore until the end of World War II, at which time they moved back to Minneapolis. Two daughters, Merilea and Rosemary, were born during their time in Minneapolis. In March 1951, they moved to Walnut Grove and started farming. Three more children, Doug, Jessie and Richard were born after their move.  In addition to helping on the farm, Meribel worked first in  Westbrook Hospital, and then in the Tracy hospital. In 1971, she relocated to Albert Lea to work at Naeve Hospital as director of quality assurance. She received the honor of being named Business and Professional Women Woman of the Year.

She married Leon Steiner on Dec. 21, 1975. In 1988, Meribel retired and moved back to Walnut Grove. Meribel enjoyed her pets, spectator sports, swimming — especially scuba diving, reading, volunteer work, spending time with friends and family gatherings.

Meribel is survived by her sons Doug Krentz (Rennae) of Walnut Grove and Richard Krentz (Nikole) of Calgary, Alberta; daughters Rosemary Valentine of Coon Rapids and Jessie (Ted) Stevenson of Beloit, Wisconsin; grandsons Mike Valentine, Peter Krentz and T. Cole Stevenson; and granddaughters Rustan (Tim) Jackels, Victoria (Will) Racke, Mary Valentine and Sophia Stevenson. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Maynard and Doug; infant sister, Elaine; husbands Martin Krentz and Leon Steiner; and daughter, Merilea.