Obituary of Nargi J. Steinbrech

Nargi “Narg” Rayman Steinbrech, 89, of Solon, Iowa, beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on April 27, 2026, surrounded by her family.

Nargi was born on December 29, 1936, to Mary and Joseph Rayman. She was raised with strong family values, resilience, and a deep sense of compassion that guided her throughout her life. She was born in Ely, Iowa and began her education in a one-room schoolhouse. A dedicated student, she graduated from Mount Vernon High School and continued her education with a nursing degree from Mount Mercy College, followed by a Bachelor of Science in Health Education from the University of Iowa.

On June 30, 1959, she married Edward Franklin Steinbrech in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Together they built a loving home in Solon and shared more than sixty years of marriage, faith, family, and friendship. They raised four sons and one daughter: Daniel Mark, Angela Corinne of Iowa City, Kenneth Edward of Solon, Michael Joseph of Nashville, Tennessee, and Douglas Steven of Manhattan, New York.

Nargi devoted her life to caring for others. As a hospice volunteer nurse, she brought compassion, dignity, and comfort to countless patients and families. Her commitment to service extended far beyond her profession. Her dedication to hospice care remained constant throughout her life. Since 1984, she supported Iowa City Hospice and continued her involvement by helping organize and place signs for the annual hospice race across northern Johnson County. She also encouraged greater awareness and understanding of memory loss, advocating for proper evaluation and care for those facing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

She was a lifelong advocate for education and preventative health, and she remained actively engaged in her community throughout her life. Nargi contributed to programs supporting veterans, including smoking cessation initiatives and guidance on accessing medical care. She was also an active participant in long-term medical research at the University of Iowa, including the Women’s Health Initiative and studies related to diabetes, brain health, and glaucoma—demonstrating her lifelong belief that research and education could improve lives and prevent disease.

She also served as a member of the Friends of the Solon Library Board and volunteered in the “Rock and Read” program at Solon Lakeview Elementary School. Her faith and love of music were beautifully expressed through her 53 years as organist at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Solon, where she also mentored many young parishioners in organ and church music.

Nargi also found joy in traveling, reading novels, and most of all, spending time with her family. She delighted in doting on her grandchildren and created a home filled with warmth, laughter, and lasting memories. She and Ed shared a love of adventure, riding bicycles together in Cuba and Europe and celebrated many RAGBRAI events supporting her husband and their friends.

She is survived by her daughter Angela and her sons with Paul Richey, Carl and Edward Richey; Ken and Patricia Steinbrech and their sons Owen and Ian; Michael; Douglas and Jeff Sharp and their son Jack Sharp-Steinbrech; her eldest sister Nadine Hoffey; along with numerous nieces, great nieces, and great-great nieces and nephews, and extended family members. She was preceded in death by her brothers Norman and Joed Rayman and her beloved husband Ed and her dearly missed son Daniel Mark Steinbrech.

Nargi will be remembered for her grace, her quiet strength, her unwavering faith, and the deep love she gave so freely.

Memorials may be directed to Iowa City Hospice, to which Nargi was so committed.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Iowa City Hospice and the Solon Care Facility who cared for Nargi with compassion and love in her final days.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11am Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church (1749 Racine Avenue, Solon, Iowa).  A time of visitation will be from 9am until services on Tuesday at the church, where a parish rosary will be recited beginning at 9am. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Nargi’s honor to Iowa City Hospice to which she was so committed.