Section: 323 Lot: 8 Grave: 4

Obituary

tephanie (nee' Beestrum) Greenstein passed away on November 24, 2021 at the age of 76 in Houston, TX. She had a compassionate ending to an amazing story. Steph was born in Big Spring, Texas and is preceded in death by her parents Olaf and Edna Beestrum. She is survived by her three daughters Jennifer (Lawrence) Lange, Emily Racic, and Kate Greenstein; her brother Peter (Trudie) Beestrum and their sons, and cousins Sue (Carl) Koontz and Carolyn Giese.

Steph was loved and she loved --- she was all heart. Steph was known for her quick wit, infectious laugh, great sense of humor, her beautiful singing voice and her empathy. Steph loved God, Jesus, her family and friends. She loved what you loved when she was with you. She loved animals (especially orangutan's and sloths) and Disney World. Steph was a curator of all things "what to watch" British and Nordic television shows. Oh, she also LOVED popcorn.

Steph took on many challenges in her life, not only raising three amazing daughters, but also taking the opportunity to leave the country to manage software engineers in Germany and Malaysia, and beating Stage IV endometrial cancer.

She found joy in teaching 4 year olds in Sunday School, knitting, making cards, anything crafty really, and was an avid collector of crafting materials.

Steph was also the greatest mom. The time she took her eldest to get earrings after a haircut that made her cry her eyes out. For staying up late with the youngest typing a paper that was due the next day. Teaching that love is boundless and everyone deserves it equally. Going to 7-11 before midnight to get bags of M&Ms and 3-D glasses to watch a scary movie with the middle kid. For busting her butt to provide, for never giving up, for loving unconditionally. For being a kind, warm, smart, adventurous and capable woman.

Steph's bucket list goes unfinished - seeing the aurora borealis, taking a train ride, back to Disney and numerous road trips. So we encourage her loved ones to make these journeys - enjoy life, see great things, and honor her memory. She will have an amazing life with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who was her rock and foundation, and all her faith was in Him.

A celebration of life will be held in the Fall at Clear Lake Presbyterian Church. Burial will be a private family affair at Aspen Grove Cemetery in Burlington, Iowa.

To honor her memory, the family asks that you consider donating to your local zoo, Costa Rica Animal Rescue, the Orangutan Project, local food banks or local animal shelters.

"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out and loudly proclaiming - WOW - What a Ride!" - Hunter S. Thompson.

Published by The Beaumont Enterprise from Mar. 16 to Mar. 17, 2022.
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