Obituary of Donald Andrew Steffensmeier

Donald A. Steffensmeier, 74, of Dyersville and formerly of Worthington, died Monday, March 14, 2016, at Mercy Medical Center in Dyersville. Friends may call from 2-8 p.m. Sunday, March 20th, at Kramer Funeral Home Dyersville where an American Legion service will be held at 7 pm and a parish vigil service will be held at 7:30 pm. Visitation will continue from 9 – 10 am Monday at the funeral home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 am. Monday, March 21st, at St. Paul Catholic Church in Worthington with burial in the church cemetery where military honors will be accorded by American Legion Post 137. Rev John O’Connor will officiate. Don was born on May 7, 1941, in Dyersville, son of Emil and Monica (Westhoff) Steffensmeier. He graduated from St. Francis Xavier High School in Dyersville in 1959. Don served in the Iowa National Guard from 1963 to 1969. He married the love of his life, Elaine Grace Turnis of Fillmore on April 25th, 1964. They farmed near Worthington until they retired and moved to Dyersville in 2011. Together they raised seven children. Don was a member of St. Paul Parish in Worthington, its Altar and Rosary Society, served on St. Paul’s School Board and Beckman Booster Club, was a member of Farm Bureau, American Legion Post 137 and the Knights of Columbus. Don was extremely proud of his 7 children, 20 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. He enjoyed attending their many sporting and music events. Don was a die-hard Chicago Cubs fan and an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan. He enjoyed attending Beckman Catholic High School events and the annual Gala as well as St. Paul Winterfest. Don especially enjoyed coffee at the feed store, helping on the farm, playing cards with friends and family, bowling, fishing, traveling and going to the casino. Don is survived by his wife of 51 years, Elaine; seven children: Diane (Dean) Ford of Ankeny, Kevin (Gabbi) Steffensmeier of Urbandale, Sharon (Steve) Kalb of Johnston, Susan (Scott) Wilkinson of Urbandale, Terri (Jeff) DeBruin of Johnston, Al Steffensmeier of Garner, and Kathy (Jeff) Rohner of Sherrill; 20 grandchildren, Chad, Kory and Alex Ford, Lukas and Gretchen Steffensmeier, Jennah Johnson and Kelli Kalb, Stephanie (Fiancé Ryan Freerksen), Samantha, Sydni and Jack Wilkinson, Hannah, Heather and Hailey DeBruin, Mitchel, Matthew and Aidan Steffensmeier, Erika, Kendra and Will Rohner and one great-grandchild Noah Freerksen. Don is also survived by three brothers Eldon (Clara) Steffensmeier of Dyersville, Fred (Andrea) Steffensmeier of Farley and Jim (Rita) Steffensmeier of Dyersville; two sisters: Mary (Charlie) Hellman of Holy Cross and Alice (Rick) Nadermann of Dyersville; brother-in-law Gene Prier of Dyersville, and a sister-in-law, Agnes Steffensmeier of Dyersville. Don is also survived by sisters-in-law: Joyce (Frank) Naber of Dyersville, Mary Kay (Willy) Connolly of Dubuque, Barb Dowd of Cedar Rapids, Margie (Ed) Stoll of Bernard, Janie (John) Pisarik of Floris, and Julie (Ralph) Hosch of Cascade and Joan Turnis of Dubuque; brothers-in-law: Steve (Arlene) Turnis of Dubuque. Dave (Linn) Turnis of Bloomington, IL, and Pete Turnis of Arizona; and many nieces and nephews. Don was preceded in death by an infant son, his parents Emil and Monica Steffensmeier, two brothers, Gene (Helen) Steffensmeier and Art Steffensmeier, two sisters, Florence (Joe) Meis and Lucy Prier; brother-in-law, Tom Turnis. The family wishes to thank the Dyersville first responders and the staff at Mercy Medical Center Emergency room. Memorials are preferred and may be given to Beckman Catholic High School, Dyersville where all seven of his children graduated or St. Paul Church where he was a member for over 4 decades. As Dad would say, “GO CUBS GO! THIS IS THE YEAR!” Online condolences may be left for the family at www.kramerfuneral.com.