Jean Leone Steinhoff, age 96, passed away in her home on Jan. 19. She was born on Oct. 1, 1922, to Albert Steele Evans and Alice Emily (Baker) Evans, in Fort Morgan. They moved to Denver where Jean went to North High and then attended and graduated from Colorado Women’s College, at the top of her class.

She worked at the Museum Of Natural History, where many of her panoramas are still being viewed and enjoyed by visitors. During WWII, she went to work for the pathologist at Fitsimmons Army Hospital. There she meant Howard Gene Steinhoff, who became her husband in 1949.

They had a son, Eddie Richard Steinhoff, later that same year.

Their son Eddie was attending Summit Grade School in Campion, and with the assistance of Howard they started the Summiteers 4-H club in 1957. Jean continued with the 4-H club as a leader, county leader and the head superintendent of the general division of the Larimer County Fair. Because of her outstanding skills as a leader she was presented with several leadership awards. This carried over a span of approximately 50 years of service to the 4-H program.

In 1959, Karen Jean Steinhoff was born. Jean worked for Colorado State University at the Atmospheric Science Department and the Engineering Research Center for 22 years.

Jean was also the lifetime secretary for the Larimer County Archeology Club for approximately 40 years, 30 of which she was the lifetime secretary, helping to run the Stone Age Fair every year in Loveland. She loved to arrowhead and rock hunt.

Her sister Wilma, granddaughter Felecia, son-in-law Bob, and daughter-in-law Sonja preceded Jean in death. She was survived by her son Ed, daughter Karen, 38 grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandson.

Her Archeology Club hosted a celebration of Jean’s life on Feb 5,  in the McKee 4-H Building located within the Ranch complex in Loveland.