The Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas will honor the life of former Kansas City. The legacy of Mayor Joseph E. Steineger will be remembered with an honorary street sign dedication on Friday, March 7, at 4 p.m.
According to the Unified Government, the sign will be placed along Riverview Avenue between 63rd and 65th streets. The recognition was approved by the UG Commission at its February 27 meeting.
Mayor Steineger served two terms from 1987 to 1995. He was remembered for his leadership in guiding the city to win the prestigious All-America City Award. Beyond his public service, he was deeply tied to his Wyandotte County roots. His grandfather emigrated from Switzerland in the mid-1800s. Steineger later built his home on the same family homestead near Muncie Creek.
Steineger was born in the 1930s during the Great Depression. He grew up on a farm. There, he developed a lifelong passion for agriculture. At its peak, Steineger Farms cultivated more than 3,000 acres in the county. He carried that rural pride throughout his life, including his love for John Deere tractors.
He graduated from Washington High School. He also played football at Kansas City Kansas Community College. He was known as a devoted Kansas City Chiefs fan. He and his wife, Gloria, raised four children in the home he and his father built near Riverview.
Steineger’s civic involvement stretched far beyond city hall. He served more than 30 years on the Turner USD 202 School Board. He helped establish the first Turner Days celebration. He held leadership roles in community organizations, including the National Agricultural Hall of Fame. He was also a lifelong member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, where he sang in the choir from a young age.
“Mayor Joe,” as many knew him, left a legacy of public service rooted in faith, family, and community.
Community members and media are invited to attend the honorary street sign unveiling. Mayor Tyrone Garner will join the Steineger family. They will recognize his service and contributions to Wyandotte County.
