He “gave heart and soul” to BP
Youth coach Karl Steckelberg, back, congratulates Bo Zwiener on his wrestling at state last month. Shown with them are other Razorback coaches Shane Maching, left, and David Lassahn. Submitted photo
Blooming Prairie’s Karl Steckelberg died suddenly last week, and the loss of his presence in the community is already being felt. He was 44.
Steckelberg was not only a husband, father and hard-working individual in all aspects, but a pillar in the Blooming Prairie sports community – positively affecting the lives of many local youth in the most pivotal years of their lives.
“The kids felt it. They knew Karl was there for the right reasons,” said Chad Gimbel, head football coach for Blooming Prairie. “He was there for them, and not just to make them better football players, but better dads, employees, young men – he was using football to teach them life skills.”
According to Gimbel, Steckelberg was the kind of man who was always prepared to give his all.
“He was a volunteer coach for a number of years, but he was committed to being there just like he was in a paid position. Karl was gracious in everything he did. He gave his heart and his soul to everything. If I had to pick one word to describe him, it would be ‘giving,’” said Gimbel.
Gimbel’s views were shared by Westfield wrestling head coach David Lassahn, who noted Steckelberg’s “accountability” as one of his defining qualities.
“Karl was the kind of guy you could always count on. He was always going to show up with a smile and a positive attitude. He’s going to be missed greatly,” said Lassahn.
Steckelberg’s resume as a coach includes being a part of Blooming Prairie’s Class A state football title back in 2019 – as well as helping coach multiple state entrants and placers on the wrestling mats.
While wins and losses fade in time, memories made live on forever.
“Karl was one of the first guys I went to when we won. There were photos in all the papers of him lifting me up as we all celebrated. Karl was a great football coach, but I’m more thankful that I got to know him as a friend. We’d go out to eat and sit around fires with him and his family… It’s going to be hard and different without him being here. I don’t think it’s completely sunk in yet, but I couldn’t have been more honored to know Karl and the type of amazing person he is. He’s the type of person that I’d want to be,” said Gimbel.
Funeral services are Friday at 11 a.m. at St. Columbanus Catholic Church in Blooming Prairie. A complete obituary can be found on page 15A.