1971 - Vonnie and Kerry and Kathryn enroute back to New Guinea. (Photo Courtesy of A. Edwin Vinson)
The departures were harder this time. The parents of Walt and Vonnie Steinkrauses now not only had
children overseas, but grandchildren and the length of time spent overseas sometimes made the
Steinkrauses children homesick for their grandparents and the grandparents missing their
grandchildren. However, Walt and Vonnie knew God had called them to New Guinea to “preach” the
Gospel, so they returned to Ukarumpa late in the fall of 1970.
By 1970, the Steinkrauses had served and worked in New Guinea for 13 years. As a couple they were
entering the prime of their life. Kerry Lynn was 11 and little Kathryn, 2. Walt was 45 and LaVonne, 42.
Their marriage was strong and vibrant, as was their love for the Lord and their faith in Him. They both
had the energy needed to do the work and the advanced training to be able to carry on the