Meet Your Neighbor

Mary Lee Steinmuller

January 07, 2007

New executive director
Sun Prairie YMCA

In 1980, Mary Lee Steinmuller was a new mom in a new town, looking for a place to exercise.

Twenty six years later, Steinmuller is a grandmother of three whose made a career of keeping kids and adults healthy.

Steinmuller took the reins in December as executive director of the Sun Prairie YMCA. She assumes the post that will oversee the organization's transition from the current cramped digs at the old junior high school to a spacious new building under construction in the Smith's Crossing subdivision.

Running an organization is nothing new to Steinmuller. Before she and her husband, John, moved to Dane County, Steinmuller put her business degree to work running a women's dress shop in Youngstown, Ohio.

The first time Steinmuller stepped foot in a YMCA was to take an aerobics class at Madison's eastside facility. Within a month, the ambitious Steinmuller began climbing the YMCA career ladder.

Soon she was teaching classes and earning her fitness certifications. Eventually she became fitness director, then manager. Her most recent position was executive director of Madison's eastside YMCA, the same place she exercised as a young mother new to the area.

"I'm very excited about Sun Prairie. I love the thought of a small town. I'm looking forward to getting out and meeting people and getting involved in the community," said Steinmuller, who makes her home in Cottage Grove.

She said the city's new YMCA facility will allow for enhanced and expanded services for individuals and families in Sun Prairie.

"We're looking forward to the pool and more space to run some programs for all ages, including a wonderful adaptive recreation program we offer on the eastside for mentally and physically challenged people. We're hoping to grow that program. We're looking forward to continuing our great preschool too," she said.

Still a fitness buff, Steinmuller walks every day for at least a half hour.

"I also love fitness classes and do them whenever I can," she said. "But my secret hobby is cooking. I teach some healthy living courses so I love to get involved with keeping it simple and teaching healthy lifestyles."

Steinmuller speaks with pride about the unwavering commitment the YMCA has show to its mission -- promoting healthy lifestyles regardless of a family's financial status. But her most prized possessions are her two grown daughters, three grandchildren and husband. Mary Lee and John will celebrate 40 years of marriage this fall with a trip to Italy.

"I'm Italian and it's a dream I've always had," she said.

If all goes according to plan, the YMCA's new facility will open in late August and, soon after, Mary Lee will take a much-deserved break to celebrate a Tuscan-style anniversary.