A private family celebration was held for Harold Ervin “Pete” Steinke Jr., 85, of Blue Grass. Burial with military honors was in the Davenport Memorial Park Garden Mausoleum. A public service may be held at a later date. The Runge Mortuary, Davenport, is assisting the family with arrangements.
Mr. Steinke died Thursday, May 7, 2020, at the Kahl Home, Davenport.
Harold Steinke was born May 4, 1935, in Fond du Lac, Wis., the son of Harold and Isabelle (Behnke) Steinke.
He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict and was stationed in Germany.
He was previously married to Nancy Richter and Judith McDonald. He later married Jane Fransen on Sept. 1, 2001, in Long Grove.
He worked as a display advertising manager for the Fond du Lac Commonwealth Reporter and worked for the Mercury Outboard Company. He worked for McDonald’s for over 50 years, with nearly 45 years as an owner/operator. He began his career in the early 1960s as general manager of the Military Road location in Fond du Lac. He became an owner/operator in the Quad Cities, starting in Bettendorf in 1971, and Macomb, Ill. He later added more stores and partnered with his brother in Muscatine and Walcott. He received many awards as an owner, including the prestigious Fred L. Turner Golden Arch award, presented to the top one percent of McDonald’s franchisees from around the world.
His hobbies were fishing in Canada, golfing, bowling, fast-pitch softball, watching sports, traveling, and harness racing.
He owned the Arch S Golden Racing Stables in Blue Grass. He was a member of Blue Grass Fellowship Church.
Survivors include his wife, Jane; his children, Tom, Eldridge, Laura (Dave) Bloemker, Round Rock, Texas, and Joe (Sandy) Steinke, Bettendorf; his grandchildren, Sarah, Bob, Nick and Jacob Steinke, and Danny Bloemker; a great-granddaughter; a sister-in-law, Rosie Steinke, Muscatine; and his second wife, Judy Steinke, Davenport.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Leo; a daughter-in-law, Melissa Steinke; and his first wife, Nancy.
Memorials may be made to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois, the Kahl Home, Senior Star, the Handicapped Development Center, or a charity of the donor’s choice.
Online condolences may be made at www.rungemortuary.com.