Pastor Jill Lorraine (Brown) Steichen

Pastor Jill Lorraine (Brown) Steichen, 67, of Dilworth, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, with her family by her side.

Jill was born July 30, 1959, to Arlo and Jean Brown and grew up in Dilworth. She was baptized and confirmed at Dilworth Lutheran Church and graduated as valedictorian of Dilworth High School in 1977. During her school years, Jill was active in basketball, softball, Girl Scouts, Girls State, choir, and band, where she played the clarinet.

Jill attended Jamestown College, graduating in 1981. During her time there, she toured Europe with the Jamestown College choir. She continued her education at St. Luke's School of Medical Technology, becoming a certified medical technologist. Her work in the medical field eventually took her to Seattle, Washington.

Jill later felt called to ordained ministry and attended Luther Seminary, earning her Master of Divinity in 1993. In January 1994, she began serving Atlanta Lutheran Church near Ulen and Salem Lutheran Church in Hitterdal.

On December 30, 1995, Jill married David Steichen at Dilworth Lutheran Church. Together, they made their home in Dilworth and raised four children: Mark, Luke, and twins Grace and Paul.

In September 2001, Jill became Assistant to the Bishop of the Northwestern Minnesota Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, serving under Bishops Rolf P. Wangberg and Lawrence R. Wohlrabe. After her work with the synod, she returned to parish ministry with a brief call to St. Peter's and Augustana, and was eventually called to Comstock and Hoff Lutheran Churches, where she served for nearly 15 years. Jill also earned a master's degree in family counseling at North Dakota State University during her call at Comstock and Hoff Lutheran churches.

Jill loved her ministry, especially the time she spent with the young people in her congregations through youth trips, gatherings, church camps, and other activities. Over the years, Pastor Jill officiated countless weddings, funerals, and baptisms, and provided counseling and support to people through many of life’s most meaningful and difficult moments. She loved being an active part of the communities she served, whether through hospital visits, book clubs, Christmas caroling, Potato Days, or simply spending time with members of her congregations.

Outside of ministry, she enjoyed swimming, singing, reading, skiing, hiking in the mountains, traveling, making her homemade jelly, apple crisp, and famous “poppers” for her hungry kids, attending the annual Johnson Family Reunion, and celebrating Christmas with her family.

Above all, Jill's greatest achievement and joys came from raising her four children and being involved in their lives and activities. She was very proud that all of her children became college-educated and successful in their careers. They taught her “never-ending love.”

Jill was fortunate to travel widely throughout her life, with recent journeys that took her to Africa, Israel, Thailand, Greece, Germany, and many other parts of the world.

Jill leaves behind a legacy of strong faith, love of family, educational values, and strong work ethic.

Jill is survived by her husband, David; children Mark, Luke (Geneva), Grace (Josh), and Paul; sister Jeannine (Mike) Jilek; niece Michelle (Chris), nephew Darren (Jaime), brother Jeff (Cori) Brown, niece Laura (Brady); and great-niece Ellie and great-nephew Witten, who shared a special relationship with Jill and knew her as another grandma.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Arlo and Jean Brown, and her brother, Rick Brown, along with aunts, cousins, and other family members.

Visitation will be held Friday, August 21, at Dilworth Lutheran Church from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Funeral service will be held Saturday, August 22, at 11:00 a.m. at Comstock Lutheran Church. Burial will take place at a later date.

Ordained ministers are invited to gather 30 minutes before the funeral to vest and process.

Arrangements are by Wright Funeral Home and Cremation Service