Carita Marie Steenberg, 87, of Monmouth, IL, formerly of Keokuk, IA, died Wednesday, February 4, 2009 at the Monmouth Nursing Home in Monmouth, IL. She was born on May 27, 1921 in Keokuk, IA, the daughter of Jesse and Lena Schaard Gilpin. She married Estel L. Steenberg on September 21, 1940 in Keokuk, IA. He preceded her in death on April 1, 2002. Carita graduated from Keokuk High School in Keokuk, IA with the Class of 1939. She was a member of St. Paul United Church of Christ in Keokuk, IA where she sang in the choir and was active in several church circles. She had been a volunteer with the Keokuk Area Hospital Auxiliary. She loved music and enjoyed singing in the Church Choir and the Keokuk Community Choir. Carita is survived by her son, Terry Steenberg and his wife Carol of Alexis, IL, two grandchildren, Deron Steenberg of Greely, CO and Dayna Acosta and her husband David of Greely, CO, two step-grandchildren, Scot Meuler and his wife Julie of Norwalk, IA and Blake Meuler and his wife Debbe of Wylie, TX, twin great-granddaughters, two step-great-grandchildren, and one sister, Betty "Jeanne" Koch of Freeport, IL. She was also preceded in death by her parents. Graveside services were held at 2 p.m., Friday, February 6 at the Keokuk National Cemetery with Pastor Phil Cooper officiating Memorials may be made to the St. Paul United Church of Christ in Keokuk or the Monmouth Nursing Home.