Marilyn Ann Harkness Steiger

Memorial services for Marilyn Ann Harkness Steiger, age 81, of Wedowee will be held on Sunday, July 12, 2026, at 3 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Wedowee with Pastor Todd Noren-Hentz officiating.

The family will receive friends at the church on Sunday, July 12 beginning at 2 p.m.

Mrs. Steiger passed away on Sunday, July 5, at her residence.

Survivors include: one daughter, Cathie Lynne Steiger; one son, Ronald Allen Steiger (Vicky); two grandchildren, Brandon Thomas Steiger (Emily) and Ana Nicole Steiger; one great-granddaughter, Sadie James Steiger; one sister, Jeannie Harkness Priga (Dan); and two brothers, Bill Harkness (Roxie) and Mike Harkness (Michelle); Godchild, Kate Priga; many nieces and nephews; and beloved pet, Jake.

A New York native, Mrs. Steiger was born on January 16, 1945, the daughter of George and Eleanor Snyder Harkness. She was a true believer in “do unto others as you would like them to do unto you.” This is one reason that everyone that was blessed with the opportunity to know her, loved her and wanted to be with her.  She was a natural-born servant of others, thus leading to her success as a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, neighbor, friend, and business leader.  She embodied the commandment the Lord gave us to Love One Another.  She dealt with pain half of her life from a bad car accident but most would never know it – she was the master of having a positive mental attitude.  Mrs. Steiger enjoyed all aspects of lake life, most especially kayaking in her quiet little cove.  She contributed greatly to her communities in Douglasville, GA, and lastly Wedowee, AL.  Mrs. Steiger was an incredible cook, seamstress, business leader, and lover of all people and dogs and loved a blue heron named Pretty Girl that (literally) flew to her every evening for years when called!

Mrs. Steiger was a stay-at-home mom.  When her children were of age, Mrs. Steiger pursued a very successful career in real estate as an agent and then a broker.  She led her real estate company to earn many awards, including one of the top 12 offices out of 250 in the southeast multiple times.  After her accident, Mrs. Steiger sold her business and became partners with her daughter Cathie, and they enjoyed many more years selling real estate together.  She retired in 2005 and moved to Alabama to live on the lake with her husband, Tom.  Upon retirement, she became an admired quilter, creating beautiful designs.  One of her greatest passions was gardening.  She could make anything grow and earned “Yard of the year” and “most creative garden” awards while a member of the Wedowee Garden Club.

Another real passion of hers was Elvis!  Her last trip was to visit Graceland last November.  She fell in love with Tom dancing to Elvis.

Mrs. Steiger always enjoyed trips to Pennsylvania, making memories with her family, cutting a Christmas tree on the family farm, picking strawberries, attending family reunions, and taking her precious grandchildren to the place where she grew up.

Mrs.  Steiger loved her rescue dog Jake who was a “foster failure” fiercely. There has never been a dog more spoiled.

Mrs. Steiger was preceded in death by her parents and her husband of over 50 years, Thomas Dorsey Steiger.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.benefieldfhwedowee.com.