Charlotte (Char) Steinbeck, 80, passed away on Dec. 1, 2024, surrounded by her family.

Born to Clarence and Wanda Van Orsow on May 6, 1944, in Portland, Char was the first of seven children. Char married Don Steinbeck on April 24, 1964.

Char moved with her parents to Central Oregon as a young child. She graduated from Redmond High

School in 1962. Char learned to play the accordion while in school and entertained family many times throughout the years, especially during Christmas.

Char worked at various jobs until she was hired by the Redmond Fire Department in 1983. She was employed by the Redmond Fire Department until her retirement in 2005.

You might say that the Redmond Fire Department was a second family to her. She absolutely loved her work, the crew she worked with, and sharing all about the fire department with her children and grandchildren. Char was the Office Administrator and also an EMT for a short period of time. At retirement, Char and Don moved to Eastern Oregon where they could hunt and fish to their heart’s content.

Char loved her family beyond measure. Her greatest love was her grandchildren. She spent many hours traveling and watching them play and participate in a variety of sporting events and many other activities. She was her children and grandchildren’s biggest fan. Char loved the outdoors and shared this love with her family. She passed along her love of flowers (peonies were her favorite) fishing, hunting, camping and vacations to the Oregon Coast. There were many family weekends that involved one of these enjoyments. Char often spoke of memories of her younger years, fishing at Crane Prairie and Wickiup Reservoir with her grandparents and picking strawberries in the fields in Troutdale.

Char is survived by her husband, Don Steinbeck of 60 years; daughter and son-in-law, Brenda Engebretson and Scott Williamson of Hines; son and daughter-in-law, Shaun and Michelle Steinbeck of Hines; grandchildren, Jacob, Mitchel and Nathan Steinbeck of Hines; grandchildren, Brandon, Jennifer Engebretson and great-granddaughter Paisley Engebretson of Redmond; grandchildren, Joshua Engebretson of Astoria; Haley Engebretson and great-grandson, Levi, of Redmond; and Kylie Engebretson of Phoenix Ariz.; her sisters, Angie Obrist and Robert of Tillamook, Jo Guiney and Bill of Madras, Geri Baker of Lapine; her brothers, Denny Van Orsow of Madras,  Bo Van Orsow of Bend, and Bob Van Orsow of Crooked River; numerous nieces and nephews and extended family. Char was preceded in death by her parents.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Harney County Home Health and Hospice or the local Harney County Save A Stray in  Char’s name.

At Char’s request there will not be a service. Char had special requests and those will be honored.