Bernice Steinke of St. Paul, a leap day baby born in 1924, recently celebrated her 25th birthday — or her 100th, depending on the math.

As for Steinke, she called the non-leap year annual milestones her “unbirthdays.”

Since 2024 is a leap year, Steinke celebrated her milestone birthday at a big party her family hosted at her church earlier this month; she died nine days later, on Monday, in her sleep.

A St. Paul start

A photo of Bernice Steinke and her parents, Etta and Dellenter Sparks, from 1928. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)

A century ago, Etta Bernice Sparks’ birth made the local news — and not only because it was leap day.

“Child is born as ambulance goes to hospital,” our headline read. “Drivers amazed when they hear wail with four miles to go.”

Named Etta after her mother, she was called by her middle name or by the nickname of “Sparky.”

Growing up in St. Paul, Sparky enjoyed the novelty of a leap day birthday — once writing into the Daily News to inquire about a party the newspaper was throwing for local leap day babies.

“I think it is very nice of you to give us leap year kids a break like this,” she wrote in 1936.

(Should we bring that party back in 2028, leapsters?)

Greatest Generation

Bernice Steinke, front center, celebrates her 100th birthday with her family, including her grandchildren and great grandchildren, at Eastern Heights Lutheran Church in St. Paul on Saturday, March 2, 2024. (Courtesy of Jeanne Zimmer.)

She grew up in the Depression, she came of age during World War II. After graduating from Johnson High School in 1942, she attended Mankato State Teachers College before returning to St. Paul. She commuted by streetcar to her job at Buckbee-Mears, a manufacturer in Lowertown. After the war, that’s where she met her future husband, Fred Steinke.

On her 100th birthday, she was still living in their little house on the East Side that they moved into as newlyweds in 1952. Fred and Bernice raised their four kids in that house; they were also active members of their Lutheran church, helping to start a school their children attended.

Sadly, Fred died in 1974 when their youngest child was just 12 years old. His widow returned to work to support the household. After a career focused on the elderly and aging, she retired in 1988.

Purpose

In her later years, Steinke became a grandmother and then a great grandmother. A woman of faith, she also kept her Bible close and turned to it often.

When the Pioneer Press interviewed Steinke on Feb. 29, we asked her why she thought she had lived such a long life. Her reply:

“It says in the Bible: God gives everyone a purpose when they are born,” she says. “Maybe I haven’t finished mine.”

In her obituary, which will appear in print in Sunday’s paper, her family wrote:

STEINKE
Etta Bernice (Sparks)
Age 100
of St. Paul, MN
Fulfilled her earthly purpose on March 11, 2024.

She is survived by a younger brother as well as her four children and their families, including seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Just 42 days after her birthday party, the family will gather again for her funeral next month.

They miss her already; they will think of her when they see butterflies.

“She will be remembered for her sharp memory and childhood stories, her love of butterflies and her unwavering faith,” her obituary states.

Steinke still had a zest for life at 100, but ran out of time to accomplish a recent goal — to go for a ride in a hot air balloon. Because she died within days of the 50th anniversary of her husband’s passing, though, her family believes the timing was not coincidental; she missed him.

Are there hot air balloons in heaven?

“Her granddaughter, Jillian, thinks Bernice is probably going on that hot air balloon ride in heaven with Fred,” says Jeanne Zimmer, Steinke’s daughter-in-law.

Steinke’s funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 13 at Eastern Heights Lutheran Church, 616 Ruth St. N., St. Paul, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials to her church are preferred. Info at ehlc.org.

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