Kathy Lee Steberl

Kathy Lee Steberl passed away peacefully on May 15, 2026 in Beavercreek, Ohio at the age of 75. Born on January, 25, 1951, in Dayton, Ohio, Kathy was the eldest of three daughters born to Oscar and Berdina (Lester) Steberl. She graduated from Belmont High School in 1969 and then attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio where she earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree with a major in Vocal Music Education in 1973.

Kathy’s life was devoted to nurturing and caring for others. After college she taught vocal music to elementary and middle school students in the Trenton, Ohio school system. She was praised by many people for the excellent performances of the school choirs and for the exemplary preparation that the students received in vocal music before moving on to high school.

After teaching for several years, Kathy returned to school to pursue a career in nursing and received her Nursing Diploma from Christ Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1980. She was a dedicated nurse in several settings throughout her career, including as a private duty nurse, a cardiac nurse at Miami Valley Hospital, and as a nurse in an allergist’s office. After retiring from nursing, Kathy gave piano lessons to children and adolescents and she was her mother’s caregiver during her mother’s final years.

In addition to teaching music Kathy enjoyed sharing her own vocal talents. She spent the summer of 1974 participating in the Savoy Dinner Theatre in Cleveland, Ohio where she performed in several Gilbert and Sullivan operettas. She sang for friends’ weddings, in church choirs, and in community choirs.

Kathy loved children and in addition to her school teaching and piano lessons she also volunteered her time to direct the children’s choir and to organize and direct the children’s Christmas pageant at her church for several years. She would take her piano students to nursing homes/retirement communities to present a concert for the residents. She also loved to help plan children’s birthday parties for special friends. She greatly looked forward to visits from out of state family and cherished the time that she got to spend with her nephew and niece during these visits. For a number of years she enjoyed filling several shoeboxes with small gifts of toys and school supplies for Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child project.

Kathy had a big heart and a caring soul. She sympathized deeply for the plight of people around her, family, friends, and strangers alike. She would oftentimes try to do what she could to help people that she knew were going through trying times.

When Kathy’s health began to decline in her latter years and she was no longer able to participate fully in social activities, she adopted a puppy. Zoey became her devoted companion and brought her much joy and comfort.

In addition to leaving behind her beloved dog, Zoey, Kathy is lovingly remembered by her sisters Jean Swiontek and husband Richard, and Carol Steberl and wife Susan Koontz; her nephew Christopher Swiontek; and her niece Rebecca Marcotte and husband Matthew. She was predeceased by her parents Oscar and Berdina Steberl.

The family would like to extend a special “thank you” to Care 360 Hospice for all of their love, compassion, care, and support that they gave to Kathy and her family during this difficult time.

A visitation will be held for Kathy on Friday, June 5, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, followed by a funeral mass at 11:00 AM, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church located at 6245 Wilmington Pike, Centerville, OH 45459.

The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Kathy’s memory to one of the following charities:

Save the Children - visit the Save the Children Make a Memorial Donation page, check the “Dedicate my donation” box below the donation amount in order to enter Kathy’s name at the bottom of the form.

Samaritan’s Purse - visit the Samaritan’s Purse Memorial Giving page. Click on “Donate on a Memorial Page”, then click on “Give in Memory Through Our Gift Catalog”. Select where you want your gift to go. After entering an amount and clicking on “Add”, you will be given an option to “Add a Card” where you can enter Kathy’s name.

Shelter Box - visit the Shelter Box USA Donation page, near the bottom of the page, check the box to “Dedicate this gift” in order to enter Kathy’s name.

To share a memory or Kathy with her family or to leave a special message, please visit the Guestbook below.