Evelyn A. Steenberg (nee Chanco) was born June 22, 1935 in the Philippines and passed in her sleep from this life on July 5, 2026 in St. Louis, MO.
Evelyn lived her life proclaiming, “This Is My Father’s World” – that there is indeed a Creator that “shines in all that’s fair” – serving as a missionary wife in Japan for 35 years alongside her late husband and love of her life, the Rev. Thomas A. Steenberg.
Tom and Evie met and were married in Minnesota, served parishes and found lifetime friends in North Dakota, and moved to Japan in 1966. As a missionary wife, Evelyn learned a new language, played the organ for church, did Sunday school, the Women’s Group, cooking classes, coffee hours, meals, and gave her heart to the Japanese people as she shared in Tom’s ministry. Evelyn always said that she wasn’t the missionary, just the “missionary’s wife,” but it was evident to all that they were partners in ministry together. Evelyn was a strong, pioneer woman who raised her family straddling two cultures and yet was always anchored. Her children are her greatest legacy.
Evelyn was a dynamic educator. She taught English as a Second Language to Japanese executives, and Biology, Science, and Typing to High School students at Nagoya International School. She was also a self-taught pianist and musician (there wasn’t a hymn Evelyn didn’t know).
After retiring from the mission field and returning stateside in 2001, Tom and Evie spent time in Illinois and California and then settled in Missoula, MT to be near their oldest sons. When the Lord called Tom home in October 2018, Evelyn was dealt a grievous wound – the pain a testament to the special love and “oneness” shared between them, a pain that never completely went away. The Covid shutdown, the effects of polio, and a stint with cancer slowed Evelyn down in her later years, but a big challenge was her declining memory and being unable to keep in touch with friends the way she would have liked, indeed to sing, “This is my Father’s world: Why should my heart be sad? The Lord is King: let the heavens ring! God reigns; let earth be glad!”
Evelyn lived independently until May 2026, when she moved to St. Louis to live with her daughter, Debbie. She was big and brave and was able to laugh through the many adjustments. Her final weekend was full of joy with a family movie night with “the girls” and the America 250 celebration. Evelyn’s passing was sudden and unexpected. We cling to the promise that God will make all things new.
Evelyn is survived by her children: Thomas (Mary), James (Kate), Debra Hazlewood, Mark (Laurie), Beth (Pat Cook); her grandchildren: Jason (Anna), Christopher (Tai), Barret (Aimee), Nolan (Natalie), Westley, Acacia, Angela Hazlewood (fiancé Logan Stoops), Christine Humbles (Dayton); her great-grandchildren: Madison Lowell, Aryana, Lila, Roman, Evan; and her great-great-grandchildren: Scarlett, Eleanor, and Taylor Lowell; her siblings: Dr. Amado (Ruby) Chanco, Rachel Edralin, Douglas Chanco, Ruth Sanchez, Grace (Jim) Wiggen, Jeanne (Lambert) Pabellon, Clifford (Ellen) Chanco, James (Emma) Chanco; and numerous nephews and nieces.
Evelyn is preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Thomas A. Steenberg; her parents, Rev. Amado & Mercedes Chanco; her brother, David; her brothers-in-law, Ramon Sanchez and Rudy Edralin; and her son-in-law, Mark Hazlewood.
The family wants to publicly thank Tom and Jim for their years of tender care given to Mom.
Upon Evelyn’s request, the Homegoing Service will be a private family gathering. Memorials may be sent to Immanuel Lutheran Church, 830 S. Ave. West, Missoula, MT 59801.