Jerry Steenberg, longtime director of the St. Paul Public Library system, died Feb. 28 in Eagan. He was 81.

Born in St. Paul on Dec. 12, 1936, Steenberg received his bachelor’s degree in library science from the University of Minnesota. He began serving the St. Paul Public Library system in 1961 as a library assistant.

After years of being promoted and opening up the Sun Ray branch library, Steenberg was named assistant director in 1974.

Four years later, then-St. Paul Mayor George Latimer appointed Steenberg director of the St. Paul Public Library System.

“Jerry never cared about himself or his ego,” Latimer said. “He was always focused on the mission of the library. He devoted his whole life to libraries.”

Steenberg’s son, Michael Steenberg, said that being the library director was not just a job for his father – it was a calling.

“He was really dedicated to his St. Paul community,” Michael Steenberg said.

Steenberg’s legacy includes expanding the Friends of the St. Paul Public Library, a philanthropic organization that supports the library.

“He always treated everyone with respect and dignity,” Michael Steenberg said. “I think that attribute made it easy for him to lead an organization and serve as its chief cheerleader.”

Steenberg served as library director for 17 years before retiring in 1995 to spend time with his grandchildren. He served a total of 34 years for the St. Paul Public Library system.

Steenberg died at Commons on Marice Senior Living Community in Eagan of Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, which he had had for three years.

Steenberg is survived by his wife of 57 years, Joann; sons Michael (Angela) and Mark (Ann Marie); grandchildren Elizabeth, Devin, Lauren and Greta; and siblings Thomas (Evelyn), Edward (Caryl), Richard (Judith) and Margret Andersen.

A visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Willwerscheid Funeral Home, 1167 Grand Ave. in St. Paul.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10 a.m. Friday at the Church of the Assumption, 51 W. Seventh St., in St. Paul.