Loris Viola Stegmiller
Obituary

Loris “Lori” Viola Stegmiller, 88, was called home to our Lord on July 11, 2026, surrounded by loved ones. Born in Oakland on February 11, 1938, to Andrew Cortezzo and Vivian Stockwell, Lori was an only child who grew up in Oakland and attended Holy Names High School and College, graduating with a General Ed. AA degree. She was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved husband of 64 years, Lawrence “Larry” Stegmiller, who passed away in 2022.

From an early age, Lori possessed a deep love for animals, community service, and athleticism. She began riding horses at age 12, taking English riding. She was also a lifelong cat and bird lover and always had pets. As a young girl, Lori was a dedicated Brownie and Girl Scout. She was a long-term member and multi-term President of the Theta Tau Theta, a women’s sorority established for funding children’s diabetes camps.  She also was an avid bowler for nearly 60 years, winning numerous tournaments and bowling well into her 80s.

Lori’s legendary swimming journey began with a childhood beach scare that prompted her mother to enroll her in swimming lessons. In 1949, she was one of only three students out of 500—and the only girl—to receive a blue ribbon for outstanding technique, a feat featured in the Oakland Tribune newspaper. As a high school freshman, she joined a synchronized swimming team, competing into her college years and winning numerous medals. Her team brought national recognition to Oakland as an absolute powerhouse of synchronized swimming in America.

In 1955, Lori attended a dance where she met 20-year-old Larry Stegmiller. Larry instantly knew she was the woman he would spend his life with. In 1956, Larry proposed to her, and they became engaged. They were wed on March 8, 1958, and initially lived in Hayward before returning to Oakland for 38 years, eventually retiring to Sparks, Nevada, in 2001.

While her four children were young, Lori was a dedicated homemaker. The Oakland years were filled with wonderful memories of weekend family camping trips and vacations around the western US, all meticulously planned and executed by her.  Throughout their marriage, Larry and Lori also traveled extensively all around the world.

As her kids reached high school, she re-entered the workforce as a highly capable office manager. She brought her sharp organizational skills and warm leadership to several East Bay companies, including Herzer Landscaping, Caterpillar Equipment Rental, Custom Process Photo Processing, and eventually capped her career at a major regional paper production facility Standard Register.

Lori found great joy in the simple things that made a house feel alive and loved. She filled the walls with art and memories captured in photographs of moments she cherished. She was a devoted gardener and especially loved primroses.

Lori also had a wonderfully fun side. She loved scary movies and the old black-and-white spooky television classics. She loved spending time with friends playing games or cards. She also loved puzzles, country music, dancing, reading books, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, crossword puzzles, coffee with tons of creamer, Christmas decorations, collecting knickknacks from around the world, and, most of all, simply spending time with her family, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her four children: Marilyn Stegmiller Becker (Mitchell Becker), Kenneth Stegmiller (John Turano), Diane Stegmiller Bartosch (Steve Bartosch), and Michael Stegmiller (Jannie Stegmiller). She is the cherished grandmother of Charles Becker, Stephanie Becker, Christopher Becker, Elizabeth Bartosch (Fred Garbutt), Natalie Becker Kuelker (Thomas Kuelker), Valerie Bartosch Barrow, Juliebelle Bartosch Brodersen (Braden Brodersen), and Grace Bartosch; and the proud great-grandmother of Lonnie, Codi, Colby, Khloe, Kaylie, Liam, Marigold, Emma, and Sage.

The Holy Rosary will be said at 11:00 am followed by The Memorial Mass at Noon, Friday, October 9, 2026, both at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 2900 N McCarran Blvd, Sparks, NV, with a reception to follow.