Steven Probst, 78, of Gettysburg, died peacefully on Friday, March 20, 2026, at his home following an extended illness. Born in Iowa City, Iowa, Steve’s life was spent working on the family’s farm. After graduating from West Liberty High School, he attended Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. In 1970, after he graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science Degree in agronomy, he married his high school sweetheart, Janet Burr, a newly graduated Registered Nurse.
Steve’s professional career found him outside with individual farmers in Iowa, New York, Illinois, and Alaska to solve their specific soil and water conservation problems. Late in his career, he was stationed in Washington, DC, where he addressed national soil and water conservation issues.
After retiring in 2007, Janet and Steve relocated to their acreage northwest of Gettysburg on Mummasburg Road. For several years, they raised bees and sold honey. Each year, they have planted a large garden and donated surplus produce to the community’s Gleaning Project. They have implemented numerous soil and water conservation practices, including wildlife plantings, wildflower plantings, a windbreak, and erosion control seedings. A large area stripped of topsoil was reclaimed and planted to ornamentals to attract Monarch butterflies and other pollinators.
Mr. Probst served in the leadership of numerous social, academic, and professional organizations. He was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church since 2009.
Mr. Probst is survived by his wife, Janet; a son, Clint Probst and his wife Gretchen, of Venus, TX; a daughter, Jen Blevins and her husband Mike, of Eldersburg, MD; a daughter, Leah Probst Bardley and her husband Sam, of Washington, DC; and a son, C.J. Probst, of Gettysburg, PA. Surviving grandchildren include Evan Probst, Audrey Probst, and their mother, Rachael; Byron Blevins and Emily Blevins; and Drew Probst Bardley and Troy Probst Bardley. Surviving siblings include Linda Olsen of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Cinda Pierce of Muscatine, Iowa; Hugh Robert Probst of Conesville, Iowa; and Tom E. Probst of West Liberty, Iowa. Steven was preceded in death by his father, Hugh Probst, and his mother, Betty Dean (Smith) Probst.
A Memorial Mass for Steven will be held at 2:00 PM, Thursday, March 26, 2026, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 25 West High St., Gettysburg, PA, with Fr. Michael Pray as Celebrant. The family will receive friends from 6:00 – 8:00 PM, Wednesday evening, March 25, 2026, at the Monahan Funeral Home, 125 Carlisle St., Gettysburg, PA. The family requests that donations be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in lieu of other expressions of sympathy. Online condolences may be made at monahanfuneralhome.com.