Loveta Marie (Lamberth) Steen was born 1945 at DePaul Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. She was born to Floice Elmer and Seva Belle (McCullough) Lamberth. Loveta grew up on her parent’s farm south of St. James where she lived for 75 years. She attended Asher Hollow School through the eighth grade and then graduated from John F. Hodge High School in St. James in 1963.

Loveta met Merel Steen in 1960, attending a Valentines Dance at the high school on their first date. They fell in love and were united in marriage November 22, 1963 in St. James, Missouri. To this union they were blessed with three children: Lori, Shawn, and Stephanie. Loveta and Merel shared sixty-two years creating many lasting memories together.

Loveta lived a life defined by hard work, creativity, faith, and a deep devotion to her family. On the family cattle farm, she learned the values of integrity and perseverance. After high school, Loveta attended State Beauty School in Rolla. When he joined the U.S. Navy in 1966, Loveta joined Merel when he was stationed in Norfolk, VA. After a few years, she returned to the family farm to take care of her parents and begin raising a family. In 1973, Loveta went to work as an administrative assistant and later office manager at the Myers Clinic in Rolla, Missouri for both Dr. Richard E. Myers and Dr. Robert S. Myers. For those 28 years at the clinic, she developed many special relationships and enjoyed helping the patients. Although she worked outside the home, she considered her most important roles to be wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

Loveta was very talented with her hands. She enjoyed sewing, ironing, gardening, and canning. She loved to feed her family and was a wonderful cook. Loveta enjoyed shopping, finding bargains, and making the most of what she had.

Loveta’s life was a testament to her enduring belief in service. She was loving and giving, both of which she did with her whole heart. She was loyal, selfless, strong, and at times stubborn. As a devout Christian, she professed her faith in her early years attending the Church of God with her parents, and later with her family as a member of St. John Lutheran Church for over sixty years.

Loveta entered eternal rest September 27, 2026, at her home in Asher Hollow, at the age of eighty years. Those left behind to cherish her memory include her loving husband: Merel Steen of Cook Station, MO; children Lori Garver (Dale) of St. James, MO, Shawn Steen (Susie) of Cook Station, MO, and Stephanie Mueller (Chris) of St. James; brothers-in-law Duane and Joel Steen and sisters in law Betty Steen and Kathy Glenn; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren and a host of family and friends.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Floice and Seva Lamberth, brothers Ronald and Richard Lamberth; nephew Randy Lamberth; father and mother-in-law: Merel J. and Irma Steen; brother-in-law Terry Steen; sisters-in-law Debbie Schoolcraft and Beth Edgar.

Loveta always had time for her family. She was a bright spot in the lives of many. Above all things, her greatest joy was her family. She will be forever missed by those who loved her the most.

A Visitation for Loveta Steen will be held Friday October 9, 2026 from 5-8 pm at the St. John Lutheran Church in St. James, Missouri.

Memorial Service will be held at 10 am Saturday October 10, 2026 at the St. John Lutheran Church in St. James, Missouri with Pastor David Peter  officiating. Lori Garver will sing Loreta's favorite songs with Barbara Jernigan at the piano. Memorials may be given the St. John Lutheran Church or the Phelps Hospice of Rolla, Missouri. Burial of her ashes will be in the family plot at the St. James Cemetery at a later date.

Online condolences and floral offerings may be given at www.jonesfunerals.com

All arrangements are under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri