Pamela J. "Pam" Steck, 73, of La Porte, IN, passed away on Wednesday, April 17th, 2024, at University of Chicago Medical Center. 

 

Pamela was born to Brenton and Jean (Larson) Steck, Sr. on May 30th, 1950, in La Porte, IN, and lived here her entire life in the community she loved.

 

Surviving are her sister, Michele (Bob) Ryan of Marion, IA; brothers, Brenton Steck, Jr. and Charles (Mary) Steck, both of La Porte; 5 nieces and nephews, Laura (John) Stewart-Smith, Ryan (Denise) Stewart, Tiffany (Austin) Ryan-Hermsen, Andrew (Mackenzie) Steck, and Mattie Steck; as well as 8 great-nieces and great-nephews.

 

Pam was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, James Steck and Kandace Rice.

 

Pam graduated from La Porte High School in 1968.  She obtained B.S. and M.S. degrees in Elementary Education from Purdue Northwest.  Early in her career, she worked as a preschool teacher at Kiddie College. An award-winning master teacher, Pam retired from a wonderful 40-year career teaching 2nd grade at Riley Elementary School.

 

During her career, she welcomed many high school interns and collegiate student teachers into her classroom and provided a nurturing environment in guiding them toward becoming teachers in their own right.  She set high standards for teaching and was remembered by so many, both students and fellow teachers.  

 

Pam was a member of the D.A.R., Phi Delta Kappa, and Michigan City Senior Center where she enjoyed great friendship while playing Mexican train, dominoes, and euchre.  

 

Pam loved to travel, both with friends and family.  She enjoyed many trips throughout the United States, traveling by plane, planned bus trips, as well as family driving excursions.  

 

She was passionate about her outdoor flowers and loved tending to all her pots and flower beds.  Pam was also very creative, excelling at different crafts such as basket weaving, ceramics, needlework, and more.  A very special thing for Pam was her love of recipes and recipe books and putting them to use in baking.  Many family members and friends were recipients of her great baking endeavors.

 

Pam loved all music genres and spent several years singing with the Bethany Church Choir.  She was a longtime regular attendee of the La Porte City Band as well as the La Porte County Symphony Orchestra.  For many years, she and our mother could be seen in their usual seats at these events.   

 

In our family, Pam was the aunt, "Aunt Pammy", who spoiled all the kids in the next generation, loving them all!  As the family foodie, Pam made sure family members had their own favorite foods at family events.  She also was the caregiver to our mother, especially keeping her safe during the challenging times of COVID-19.  To us, as her siblings, she will always be Pam, our beautiful and loving sister, always there with us. 

 

Cremation has taken place with Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center, La Porte.

 

A Celebration of Life Gathering will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 18th, 2024, at Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center.  A private family graveside service will follow.

 

Donations in Pam's memory may be made to the La Porte City Band, 396 Melrose St., La Porte, IN  46350, or the Michigan City Senior Center, 115 Lake Shore Drive, Michigan City, IN  46360.

 

Condolences may be shared with the family online at www.cutlerfuneral.com.