Pat will forever be missed by her loving husband Daniel of 51 years, her son Ian and daughter in law Sandy, with grandchildren, Lori, Michael, April, Charlie, & Lea, son Geoff and daughter in law Sarah, with grandchildren Benjamin and Penelope, son Adam and daughter in law Amber with grandchildren Louise and Rosalind, and son Andre and daughter in law Katie, with grandchildren Brynn, Brayden and Declan.
Pat was predeceased by her grandson Garrett in 2014, father Edward Orchard in 2015 and mother Catherine Orchard in 2021.
Pat was born on April 13, 1953 in Miami, Manitoba to Edward and Catherine Orchard. She was little sister to Gordon and the two of them were raised on the family farm in Deerwood, Manitoba. Pat and Gordon grew up farming with their parents, learning to drive tractors and combines at young ages and enjoyed riding horses and the odd “quiet” cow during their “down times.” Pat attended Altamont school from grades 1-8 and completed her highschool at the Miami Collegiate.
Pat met the boy down the road and married Daniel Steppler in 1973. Together they raised their 4 boys on the farm and founded Steppler Farms-grain farming and raising purebred Charolais cattle.
Pat received her Bachelor of Arts and Teacher training from the University of Manitoba in 1974. She taught at the Miami Collegiate for 5 years before taking some time off to raise her 4 sons. In 1989 Pat returned to teaching in Miami and remained there until retirement in 2009. Pat primarily taught Senior English and was the Coordinator of the Walter and Gordon Duncan Foundation Grant awarded to the Miami Collegiate for innovative educational school improvements. Pat had a passion for teaching and genuinely cared for her students, inspiring many of her students to become teachers themselves. Her yearly drama productions were the highlight for many.
Pat retired in 2009 to be able to focus more on her family and farm. She soon took on the role of farm cook where she would often have over 15 people at her kitchen table for lunch. Pat was a wonderful cook and everyone would look forward to her warm lunch time meals where people could gather. She welcomed everyone to her table with a bright and friendly smile, making time for conversation with everyone.
Pat and Dan were so proud to farm with their 4 boys over the years and loved watching each of them succeed in their own areas. Pat could often be found chasing cows with Andre, delivering field meals to the boys, or taking on various projects around the farm. Steppler Farms eventually grew from cattle to include a honey bee operation and a larger grain operation when the 4 boys were all home to farm together. This kept Pat very busy helping out in each operation as much as she could.
A busy Mom who raised 4 boys, then welcomed 4 “daughters” over the years. She welcomed each of them and their families with open and loving arms. Her grandchildren were the light of her life and she adored spending time with each of them. Her wide age range in grandchildren meant intense games of “Crazy Eights” with the little ones, baking, gardening and mini horse training with the older ones, and attending sports and drama productions for the oldest grandchildren.
Pat had an infectious smile that could light up a room and an ability to make everyone around her feel important. She was always a listening ear, a beacon of wisdom and a source of strength to those around her. She will forever be tremendously missed by her family and friends.
The family would like to thank the Boundary Trails Cancer Care team for the tremendous support and care over the years, Dr. Dhala and the “chemo girls” were always adored. Thank you to the medical unit at BTHC and Palliative care nurse Blake who provided everything they could to help make Pat comfortable in hospital and at home. And thank you to the Carman Memorial Hospital staff for supporting Pat and her family throughout her last days.
A private internment will be held on Monday, September 23 at the Miami Cemetery followed by a Celebration of Life with close family friends at 2pm at the Miami Event Centre.
In lieu of flowers a donation can be made to the Boundary Trails Health Centre Foundation-Cancer Care.