Obituary of Donald Gregory Steffen

Donald G. Steffen, 71, of Dyersville, Iowa died suddenly Wednesday, April 13, 2011, at Mercy Medical Center in Dyersville. Friends may call from 2 - 8 p.m. Sunday, April 17, 2011, at the Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville where a parish scripture service will be held at 4 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 18, 2011, at St. Francis Xavier Basilica in Dyersville with burial in the church cemetery. Rev. Robert Gross will officiate. Don was born December 24, 1939, in Guttenberg, Iowa the son of Frank and Evelyn (Hoeger) Steffen. He was united in marriage to Vivian T. Connolly on November 19, 1960, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Dubuque. Together they farmed near Peosta until they moved to Dyersville in 1967. Don drove semi for various companies for many years. Don and Vivian owned and operated the Dyersville Redemption Center until retiring in 1991. Don enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, watching the Iowa Hawkeyes and having the most beautiful flower garden. Surviving are his wife, Vivian, 6 children: Doris (Kevin) Metz of Marion, Diane (Pete) Breitbach of Dubuque, Linda Nurre (friend Tim Haren) of Sparks, NV, Mark (Lisa) Steffen of Las Vegas, NV, Patrick (Anne) Steffen of Appleton, WI and Brenda (Keith) Hoefler of New Vienna; 16 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren; 5 siblings: Bernita (Elmer Mills) Kaiser of Hazel Green, WI, Loras (Mary Ann) Steffen of Asbury, Elmer (Phyllis) Steffen of Dubuque, Mary Kay Shanahan of Dubuque and David (Eileen) Steffen of Cascade; brother-and-sisters-in-law: Anna Mae Steffen of Maquoketa, Nancy Steffen of Dubuque, Msgr. Leon Connolly of Dubuque, Janell Then of Epworth, Jean Connolly of Dubuque, Sr. Lillian Connolly, RSM of Cedar Rapids; several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by 2 brothers, Leon and Kenneth, and brothers-and-sisters-in-law, Merlin Kaiser, Verla and Clarence Lehmann, Patrick and Vincent Connolly, Sr. Nancy Connolly, Jeremiah Connolly in infancy, and Thomas Then.