Donald Steffes

DONALD CLEMENS STEFFES was born to William and Pauline (Krogman) Steffes on October 4, 1929 in Clinton, Iowa. He began his schooling at St. Columbus Catholic School in Iona, Minnesota through 6th grade, at which time he was struck with Polio. After a six week hospital stay in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Don returned home to Iona. In the late 1940’s, Don moved with this family to Lake Wilson, Minnesota where he was his Dad, William’s right hand man with his business of a livestock station. In 1961, Don and his parents moved to Dickinson, North Dakota where Don was his dad’s professional driver between sale barns. He also held several part-time jobs in the area. After William’s death, Don continued living with his mother until her death in February of 1992. Don then moved to Pipestone, Minnesota where he lived in the Nokomis Apartments until July of 2013, when he moved into Good Samaritan Communities of Pipestone. On Friday, April 25, he was admitted to Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota where he died on Sunday, April 27, 2014 at the age of 84 years, 6 months and 23 days.

Donald was an honorary member of Knights of Columbus. He loved polka music and his 1977 Ford LTD. He enjoyed watching polka bands on TV, including Lawrence Welk. He liked going for drives, especially heading west. Don was western at heart; he loved the west, cattle buying and all it entailed.

Donald is lovingly remembered by his brother, Gene Steffes of Pipestone, Minnesota; nephews, Mark Steffes of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Mike (Pat) Steffes of Rochester, Minnesota and Tom (Erica Volkir) Steffes of Fairmont, Minnesota; nieces, Paulette (Dave) Sarp of Edina, Minnesota; three grandnieces, Elizabeth, Rebecca and Briana; and two grandnephews, Michael and Jason. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Pauline and one sister-in-law, Kay Steffes.