Melissa Rose Steinbauer

Melissa Rose Steinbauer, known as Mo to so many, passed away peacefully at home among family on August 19, 2023. Born December 7, 1952, in Owatonna, Minnesota, Mo grew up enjoying many of the things Minnesotans like to do: hiking, fishing, and ice skating (even before she could walk), but also showed at an early age her passion for thinking and doing differently than normal society would dictate. In high school, Mo had the opportunity of a lifetime when she was chosen for the highly selective AFS Study Abroad Program. She left frigid “Minnea-snow-ta”, as she affectionately called it, to spend a year abroad in Chile. Knowing no Spanish, Mo made the trip and her life changed. She fell in love with the language, the culture, and of course the food. Upon returning home, Mo had six months left of high school during which time she met and began a lifelong partnership with the love of her life and soulmate, Ed Kubicek.

After high school, Mo moved to the Twin Cities where she attended Hamline University, majoring in Spanish and Anthropology. Forever passionate about travel, she continued to pursue opportunities to study abroad affording her incredible experiences around the world; so many in fact that Hamline required she attend at least some courses on campus to graduate! Mo continued her love of learning at the University of Minnesota where she earned a master’s degree in Industrial Relations. Her innate language skills and vivacious personality helped her blaze a bright trail through life – fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, and conversational in German, French and even Japanese. She never lost her passion for travel and especially loved Spain, Portugal, and Latin American; she and Ed filled multiple passports with stamps.

Mo was never one for the conventional. Climbing the corporate ladder was a challenge she tackled at a time when women weren’t often found outside the home, let alone as the breadwinner. But that’s what she did and life took her and Ed to Texas, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and finally Williamsburg, VA where they lived for 29 years. Along the way, Mo and Ed enjoyed their pets (oftentimes dog and cat duos that would give Garfield and Odie a run for their money) and welcomed the arrival of a son and a daughter. After several decades shaking up the corporate world, Mo retired from the grind and found a happy “retirement” as a charter crewmember at Trader Joe’s in Williamsburg. She loved her work family, and her love of cooking, good wine, and laughter shown daily in her 15+ years at TJ’s.

Mo is survived by her husband, Ed; children Charles (Katherine) Kubicek and J.J. (Browning) Herbert; grandchildren June and Henry; latest pet duo Charlie and Rufus; and siblings Charles, Judy, Maggy, Mary Clare, and Alan. Mo was preceded in death by her sister, Sara. In lieu of flowers or donations, we ask that you take time to be with your loved ones; enjoy a good meal, have a laugh, reflect on how Mo may have impacted your life, and plan your next great adventure. Mo wouldn’t want it any other way.

¡Cheers and buen viaje to a true pioneer in this world; happy travels in the next!

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.NelsenWilliamsburg.com for the Steinbauer family.