Axel Detlef Steuer

Steuer, Axel D. Axel was born on March 7, 1943, in Kotzenau Germany, and died at home on August 14, 2024, surrounded by loved ones after a brief battle with cancer. In between those two dates, so many people experienced Axel's warmth, kindness, and generosity as a friend, family member, community volunteer, professor, and president of two colleges. Axel arrived at Ellis Island in the shadow of the Statue of Liberty as a 10-year-old war refugee along with his mother, Margot, brother Peter, and sister Petra. The family ultimately settled in Long Beach, California. Axel graduated summa cum laude from Occidental College in 1965 with degrees in philosophy and psychology. He went on to earn a master's degree in philosophy and a sacred theology degree from Harvard University and completed his doctorate in theology from the University of Pennsylvania. His passion for learning reflected his own intellectual curiosity and anchored a career helping to develop the minds and moral compass of generations of future citizens and leaders. His career as a professor and college president spanned 40 years. He taught for over a decade at his alma mater, Occidental, where he also chaired the religious studies department. In 1987 he shifted from teaching to serve as Executive Assistant to the President of the College. In 1991 Axel became the 13th President of Gustavus Adolphus College in Saint Peter, Minnesota. He loved being a 'Gustie.' His leadership was instrumental in helping raise the national reputation of the college, strengthening ties with the Nobel Foundation, and overcoming the millions of dollars of devastation caused by a tornado that hit the town and college in 1998. In June 2003 Axel became the 14th President of Illinois College. During his tenure, the college reclaimed a national liberal arts designation and strengthened its connection to the school's rich history with Abraham Lincoln and the Underground Railroad, through the combined work of Axel and his wife Loreli. Loreli Olson Steuer was the love of his life, having met while at Harvard. They spent 54 wonderful years together as husband and wife, and as champions of higher education and active stewards of the environment. Axel is survived by Loreli, his sister-in-law Aurora Steuer, his nephews Christopher Delaney (Michele) and Mark Steuer (Denise), and great niece and great nephew Maddie and Cole Delaney. A funeral service is scheduled for 11am on Saturday, September 7th at Mount Olivet Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. Visitation at the church will be held one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Sierra Club of California or an environmental organization of your choosing in Axel's honor. www.washburn-mcreavy.com Edina Chapel 952-920-3996

Tributes

Axel Detlef Steuer

March 7, 1943 - August 14, 2024

Tributes

Axel Detlef Steuer

March 7, 1943 - August 14, 2024

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