For Steckelbergs, a family afFAIR minus a key figure

It was not the kind of fair the Steckelberg family had envisioned, as a key figure from their years-long family affair with the Steele County Free Fair was noticeably gone.

Grady and Alexis Steckelberg are still reeling from the loss of their father, Karl Steckelberg, who died unexpectedly in April at the age of 44. He had been a big supporter of his children through their years in Steele County 4-H.

“It’s been tough,” said Alexis on the fifth day of the fair. “There have been a lot of moments this week where it’s like ‘where’s dad?’” she said. “We’re adapting to it and continuing to make him proud as he’s our cheerleader up there.”

Alexis said her family has leaned on a “huge support group” to get them through this year’s fair and other events that come up. “It has been huge to know there’s people you can lean on,” she said.

She described her father as “my best friend.” When it came to fair week, Karl was always there and willing to help both of his children with their hog projects. They brought as many as 16 pigs to the fair. Looking back, Alexis admits it’s something they took for granted.

Alexis is holding onto the memories of her father and his character that was not only known within the family but also in the greater community. Besides his involvement with 4-H, Karl was a youth sports coach in Blooming Prairie.

“He had an ability to show the positive by being caring and genuine,” said Alexis. “Upholding his legacy is something that Grady and I are trying to do.”

Added Grady, “We’re trying to give back to the community as much as he did.”

Grady will remember his father as being a practical prankster, which is his favorite memory. “He always tried to make a joke,” he said.

When asked what his father meant to him, Grady responded: “Everything.” He looked at his dad as a mentor and knows how he always gave back to the community.

“Even if he was tired, he was always there to help,” he said.

Grady is learning to adjust to the painful loss by taking one day at a time. “There are ups and downs,” he said.

Grady, who will be a senior this fall at Blooming Prairie High School, serves as president of the FFA chapter. He also helps with the family farm operation, along with his grandfather, Rick Klemmensen. They have about 90 sows and 40 beef cattle.

Alexis and Grady continued the fair tradition of showing hogs by coming away with champions in swine interview—Alexis was grand champion, while Grady was reserve champion. They are members of the Merry Lane 4-H Club.

Grady plans to obtain a two-year degree in agriculture with his long-term plan of returning home to take over the family hog operation. Alexis is in her second year at South Dakota State University in Brookings, where she is majoring in ag science.

Alexis served as a 4-H intern this summer in Steele County. Previously, she had been a state 4-H ambassador.

Grady is especially appreciative of the support they have received from neighbors and others over the past several months.

“It means a lot for people to step up, because we’re not necessarily the best at asking,” he said.