On April 17, 2019 with his wife of 65 years at his side, Anton (Tony) Steckler passed from this world to go to his heavenly home to be with his maker.

The Mass of Christian Burial for Anton Steckler, age 87 of Elgin, will be held at 10:00am MT Monday, April 22, 2019 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in New Leipzig, ND.  Fr. Stephen Folorunso and Fr. Dennis Schafer will officiate with burial in Saint Joseph's Catholic Cemetery south of Glen Ullin, ND.

A Rosary Service will be held at 7:00pm MT on Sunday, April 21, 2019 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in New Leipzig.

Tony Steckler was born on May 3, 1931 on the family farm to Alex and Lena (Ehrmantraut) Steckler.  He was baptized, made his first communion and confirmed at St. Joseph's Catholic Church.  He grew up on the family farm 11 miles north of Elgin, ND and in 1946, he moved with his parents to Glen Ullin where he attended high school.  Tony worked construction on the Heart Butte Dam in 1948 and 1949 and the Dickinson Dam in 1950.

In 1951, at the age of 20, he took over the operation of his parent's farm.  Tony was united in marriage to Anna Mary Bachler on December 28, 1953 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church.  They raised their family of nine children, Brenda, Dale, Colette, Nancy, John, Wanda, Chad, JoAnn and Robert on the family farm.  Instilling a strong work ethic in their children, they operated their dairy farm with the help of the entire family.  Brenda, and her husband, Denny lived on the farm and helped operate it from 1974 to 1995.  In 1998, John joined his dad in the farm operation.  Tony drove school bus for the Elgin Public School for 31 years.  He continued to work hard on his farm until the time of his death.

Surviving family members include his wife Anna Mary, Elgin, ND; 4 sons and 3 daughters-in-law, Dale and Joan Steckler, Mandan, ND; John and Julie Steckler, Elgin, ND; Chad Steckler, Mandan, ND; Robert and Tanya Steckler, Minot, ND; 4 daughters and 5 sons-in-law, Colette and Scott Wiedmann, Mandan, ND; Nancy and Patrick Scott, Grand Junction, CO; Wanda and Matt Thesing, Palisade, CO; JoAnn and Marty Wahus, Minot, ND; and Denny Heid, Elgin, ND; 23 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren; 2 brothers, Michael Steckler, Glen Ullin, ND; Peter Steckler, Seattle, WA; 1 sister, Magdalena Hegel, Glendive, MT; a sister-in-law, Maxine and her husband Jim Cook, St. George, UT.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter Brenda Heid; 6 brothers, John, Jacob, Alexander, Joseph, Henry, and Frank; 1 sister, Margreta Harval.

A memorial has been established.

Visitation will be on Sunday from 1:00 to 5:00pm at the Evanson-Jensen Funeral Home in Elgin and on Monday one hour prior to services at the church in New Leipzig.