June 6, 1928 – October 11, 2025
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Sister Florence Steichen, who died peacefully on October 11, 2025 at Carondelet Village in St. Paul. Sister Florence was a gracious and intentional friend; she was relentless and persistent in her call to love God and each neighbor without distinction.
She entered this world on June 6, 1928. She was one of five children born to Roman and Florence (Broker) Steichen. At an early age, she was formed and shown a life of justice with both her parents actively engaged in protecting their dear neighbors. So in 1950, it “seemed like a natural evolution” to Florence to join the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in St. Paul. That same year, she earned a bachelor of science degree in food nutrition, chemistry and biology from the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul (1950) and later received a master of arts in theology from the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana (1966).
Florence spent the first 25 years of her ministry work as faculty and social administrator at many CSJ sponsored schools including St. Mary in Waverly, Minnesota; Holy Redeemer in Marshall, Minnesota; St. James Academy in Grand Forks, North Dakota; and St. Mary’s Junior College in Minneapolis.
In 1987, Florence boldly accepted the position of registrar at Bethlehem University in the occupied West Bank. Her experience of walking with the occupied Palestinian community profoundly reshaped her heart from the inside out. She now had a lifelong mission to educate all who would listen to her experience and our global need for peace and nonviolence.
Upon her return to the states, Florence was single-minded and forward-thinking in her pursuit of peace, especially peace in the Middle East. She joined and became president of Middle East Peace Now, and she was active in the Middle East Community of Woman Against Military Madness. In 2002, she was invited to speak at the Pax Christi USA Now Leadership Summit in Washington, DC. Friends say she was a “rod for justice,” always advocating for the truth, believing that “trust is the first casualty of war.”
Even in her retirement, Florence remained a beautiful force of goodness, especially as she spent her Wednesdays in campus ministry at St. Kate’s, warmly greeting students. She will be missed by all who love her.
Florence is preceded in death by her parents; her sisters, Mary Newell and Bettyanne Beiriger; and brother, John Steichen. She is survived by her sister, Barbara Berens; many nieces, nephews, grand, and greatgrandnieces and nephews; dear friends; and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet and Consociates.
A Celebration of Life will take place on Friday, October 17, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. in Our Lady of the Presentation Chapel, 1884 Randolph Avenue, St. Paul, with burial following at Resurrection Cemetery in Mendota Heights.
Memorials in her honor are preferred to the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, St. Paul Province Retirement Fund.
Dear Florence, rest in love and peace.