Earlene "Mary" Steinfort

Earlene Mary Steinfort (Gillman), age 90 of Appleton, WI passed away on February 21, 2025. The only child of Earl and Ione Gillman, Earlene was born on September 23,1934 in Menasha, WI. After graduating from Menasha High School, she went on to work in the laboratory for Kimberly Clark, a job she loved. Earlene married the love of her life, Jerome Steinfort on July 7, 1956. After their marriage, Earlene left the laboratory behind to dedicate herself as a full-time wife and mother to their two children, Sandy and Scott. Her role as a mother was the heart of her world, and the love she had for her family was endless.

Whether you knew her by her given name, Earlene, or by the affectionate nicknames of Mary or Snookie, you were touched by her sincere kindness and positivity. These traits were at the core of who she was and spanned every aspect of her life. From her years dedicated to her family to the way she connected with others, she always radiated warmth and love.

Her friends and co-residents at Appleton Retirement Community have shared that she was the person you could turn to when you were feeling down. She had a special way of brightening your day – a remarkable tribute to her spirit.

Earlene enjoyed the outdoors, especially sitting by a campfire at the family cottage on Kettle Lake in Antigo and a brandy old fashioned sweet. You could often find Earlene playing cards whether it was cribbage or a game of Kings Corners with family and friends, crafting, sewing, tending her flower gardens, making her famous fudge frosting, and cheering on the Packers whenever they were playing. Her life-long love of animals meant there was always at least one dog in the family and sometimes more.

More than anything, though, Earlene loved her family and cherished every moment she spent with her children and grandchildren.

Earlene will be deeply missed by daughter Sandy (the late Mike) Alexander, son Scott (Carrie) Steinfort, grandchildren Shelby Alexander, Danny Alexander, Sharidan (Avery) Schad, Nicolas (Breanna) DeBoer.In addition to her parents, Earlene was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Jerome and her son-in-law Mike Alexander.

A funeral visitation will be held for Earlene from 9:30 – 11:30 AM on Thursday, February 27, 2025 at Wichmann Funeral Home, 537 N. Superior St, Appleton, WI 54911 with a funeral service to follow at 11:30 AM. She will be laid to rest with her husband, Jerome at Oak Hill Cemetery in Neenah, WI. 

Earlene’s family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff and residents of Appleton Retirement Community where she lived for eight years. We will always remember how much joy and purpose Mom found in being a part of the ARC community.