Lester Steffens, 90, of West Union, IA passed away peacefully at home of natural causes, on Friday, September 18. He was born December 11, 1929 on the farm near Eldorado. He was baptized, confirmed and married at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Eldorado.
Lester graduated from West Union High School in 1947 and spent a couple years working on the farm and hauling cream. He joined the Air Force and served from 1951 – 1955 as an aircraft mechanic and flight crew member on B-29s with the 48th Air Transport Squadron flying men and cargo between San Francisco and Tokyo Japan . While in the Air Force he became an excellent fast-pitch softball pitcher.
Lester and Leona (Goeken) Steffens were married in Eldorado on August 9, 1953. Leona joined Lester at Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii where their son Ray was born. After the Air Force they moved back to the family farm near Eldorado where three more sons, Gary, Keith, and Brad were born. Lester enjoyed raising and exhibiting Registered Holsteins and was active in the dairy industry. He served on many boards including school board, church board, and notably as Board President of AMPI. They lived on the farm until 1998 and then built a house in West Union.
An avid Iowa Hawkeye fan, Lester and Leona traveled to many bowl games. He enjoyed watching his son’s and grandchildren’s sporting events a great deal.
Lester is survived by his brother Reuben of Clermont, IA; children Ray and Pam (Blunt) of Eldorado, Gary and Teresa (McNeil) of Eldorado, Keith and Tannis (Redpath) of Wayzata, MN, Brad and Melanie (Weidemann) of Ely, IA; twelve grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Frieda (Vagts) Steffens; wife Leona; sisters, Edna Steffens, Jack and Anita (Steffens) Parsons; sister-in-law, Mary Steffens; brother, Erbie and Geri Steffens of Decorah.
Visitation will be Friday, September 25, 2020 from 4-7pm at Burnham-Wood-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, West Union Iowa and one hour before services at the church on Saturday.
There will be a drive-in Funeral Service at 10:30 am on Saturday, September 26, 2020 at St. Peter Lutheran Church, Eldorado, Iowa with Rev Ginny Olson as the Officiant. Attendees will remain in their cars and listen to the service on 99.5 FM.
Burial will follow at St. Peter Lutheran Cemetery, Eldorado, Iowa with Military Rites.
Burnham-Wood-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, West Union, Iowa is helping the family with the arrangements.