Charles T. Steenblock, 82, of Austin, Minn., passed away peacefully Saturday evening, July 19, 2014, surrounded by his family at St. Mark’s Lutheran Home.

He was born June 13, 1932, in Worthington, Minn., to Tony and Charline (Lighter) Steenblock. Charles attended school in Sheldon, Iowa, until the age of 16, and then moved to the Austin area, graduating from Austin High School in 1950. He then attended Normal Teacher Training College, graduating in 1951. Charles’ teaching career began with teaching rural school for four years, then working as a teacher in Geneva for one year and in Brownsdale for five years. Charles attained his B.S. degree in education in 1960 by taking correspondence courses, evening courses, and classes from Mankato State. He also took classes at Winona State, and the University of Minnesota. On June 16, 1974, Charles married Maureen (Johnson) at the First United Methodist Church in Austin. He received his M.S. degree in 1980, from Mankato State, and spent his teaching career in Austin as an elementary school Special Education teacher, retiring in 1993. Charles performed in various theater productions, and was interested in photography. He was a longtime member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church where he served several years as a ‘Stephen minister’, and had also been a member of a local genealogy club and various retired teachers associations. Charles enjoyed traveling, both in the U.S. and abroad, and had a special interest in American history.

Survivors include his wife Maureen Steenblock of Austin; one brother Clarence Steenblock of Windom, Minn.; sister Ruth (Gary) Wilson of Lakefield, Minn.; sister-in-law Cheri (Lyle) Weismantel of Spicer, Minn.; and mother-in-law Evelyn Johnson of Glencoe, Minn.; many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Tony and Charline Steenblock.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, July 23, 2014, at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Austin with Todd Portinga, Associate in Ministry, officiating. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at St. Olaf Lutheran Church. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Brownsdale. Memorials in honor of Charles can be directed to St. Olaf Lutheran Church or recipient of donors’ choice. Services are prearranged and performed by Worlein Funeral Home of Austin. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.