Herman Steger

My Life Story Herman F. Steger (Herm) departed this world on December 28, 2013 at St Luke’s ICC Meridian. He was born in a rural farmhouse near Jordan, Montana August 26, 1926 to Max and Clara Steger, recent immigrants from Switzerland. The family moved to the Boise Valley in October 1926. Herm attended various elementary schools in the Meridian and Nampa area before graduating from Meridian High School in 1944. Thanks to his high school agricultural teacher Clair Hunt, he completed his high school education while on scholarship at the University of Idaho. In Nov 1944 he was inducted into the U.S. Army and served with the 33rd Combat Infantry Division in Northern Luzon in the Philippines and with the 11th Airborne Division during the occupation of Japan where he earned his paratrooper wings and was a medic in Japan. Following his discharge from the service he returned to the University of Idaho in pursuit of a degree in education. It was while attending the University that he met, fell in love with and married Moscow native Doris Jean Goebel. He received his Bachelor’s degree in 1950 and by attending summer school, received his Master’s Degree in 1951. He remained a loyal supporter of the University throughout his life. Herm began his teaching career in September 1950 by teaching sixth grade at Franklin Elementary School in Boise. In the spring of 1954 he was appointed Principal of the new Monroe School in Boise. He spent two years at Monroe, followed by 8 years at Cole Elementary, 6 years at Jefferson, 8 years at Maple Grove and 7 years at the then new Amity School. During his 35 years in the Boise Public School System Herm served in various leadership positions within the Local, State and National Elementary Principals Associations. During the first few years he worked for the Boise City Recreation Boy’s Summer Baseball league. Baseball was his favorite sport and he played semi-pro in the Border League and was selected to the All Star Team in 1954.Following his retirement in 1985 Herm was elected to The Idaho House of Representatives where he served three terms. During his second term he was appointed as a site visitor for the US Office of Education to evaluate schools entered in the USDE’s Outstanding Schools Program. Upon leaving the Legislature Herm continued his volunteer work as Volunteer Legislative Advisor to the Idaho School Boards Association, the Idaho State PTA and the Idaho Family Forum. He was also a member of St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center Auxiliary. He was appointed to the Western Governor’s Virtual University Task Force as a representative for the Proprietary Schools.Herm and Doris were among the first to volunteer at the new Ada County Community Library. They were Co-Presidents of Friends of the Library and Doris was Chairman of the Volunteer Committee. In 1983 Herm was elected to a five year term as a member of the Library Board of Trustees. He also volunteered at the Idaho Military Museum. Herm became an avid fisherman and he introduced Doris, their children and grandson Marshall to the sport along with camping. In the summers the family spent much time in the Idaho Mountains fishing, camping, and riding. For a number of years Herm and Doris were members of the Salmon River Resort Club at the Polly Bemis Ranch. Herm also loved to spend time in the fall hunting with his labrador retrievers. The Steger’s enjoyed gardening in their large gardens on Amity Road. During sweet corn season they hosted a number of “corn feeds” for groups including School Faculties, Meridian High School Class of ’44 Reunions and bridge groups. Doris also loved to fish and together they fished across the Pacific Northwest, including Idaho, Canada and Alaska. In January 1977 Herm experienced a real change in his life as he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and began attending Ten Mile Community Church. Herm was active in organizing events such as State Prayer Breakfasts and the Worlds Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame. He enjoyed hosting many home bible studies and lots of bridge games. In 1992 they sold their home on Amity and transferred to Second Baptist Church (now The Summit Church). They moved to Bonaventure Place in 2010 and then to Meadowlake in October 2013. They currently attended Ustick Baptist Church. Herm was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Heidy Steinbach of Meridian. He is survived by his wife, Doris, of Meridian; his son, Jerry (Paula) of Eloy, Arizona; his daughter, Janet Thompson (Gene) of Las Vegas, NV; two grandsons: Marshall Greg Murrin (Nancy) of Boise, and Scott Steger (Dani) of Fort Collins, CO; four great granddaughters: Anna, Molly, Mackenzie, and Alyssa Murrin, and three nephews: Max, Joe, and Clyde Steinbach all of Meridian. The family would like to extend a special thanks to St. Luke’s Meridian Dr. Matthew DiVietro and nurses: Dawn, Chas, Levi, Lisa and all the staff for sincere caring for all of the family. “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32. In lieu of flowers, please be aware of those in need, help a friend or with someone with special needs. A Memorial Service will be held at Summit Church, 10375 W. Overland Rd. Boise, on Saturday, January 18th at 11:00 AM with followed by a food and social gathering. Remembrances may left for the family atwww.AccentFuneral.com. Services are under the direction of Accent Funeral Home, Meridian.