Obituary of Ronald John Steffen

Survivors include his wife, Bonnie, his daughter, Kimberly and son, Jesse both at home, his parents Julius and Verna Mae Steffen of Luxemburg, 4 brothers: Stanley (Linda) and Sam (Pam) both of Luxemburg, Wayne (Debbie) of Rickardsville and Terry (Kathy) of Holy Cross, 2 sisters: Laura (Loren) Harbaugh of Manchester and Lois (Denny) Garin of Guttenberg, 23 nieces and nephews, 1 step niece and 1 step nephew, 17 great nieces and nephews, 1 step great niece, his father-in-law, Herbert Burkle, brothers-in-law: Dale Burkle of Earlville, Lavern (Carol) Burkle and Roger (Nancy) Burkle both of New Vienna, sisters-in-law: Diann (Kevin) Carpenter and Linda (Dan Schrader) Burkle both of Earlville, Joyce (Dave) Loeffelholz of Dyersville, Sally (Ralph) Hinrichsen of Monticello, Sandra (Ron) Weber of Masonville, LuAnn (Ken) Weber of Winthrop, Vickie (Tym) Theisen of New Vienna and Mary Ann (Charles) Willenbring of Webster City, along with several aunts and uncles. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, John and Catherine Steffen and Alois and Abeline Nurre, one brother, Joseph at birth, his mother-in-law, Wilma Burkle and aunts and uncles. Ron was born on September 27, 1948 at Mueller Hospital in Dyersville, Iowa, the son of Julius and Verna Mae (Nurre) Steffen. He graduated from Leo High School in 1966 in Holy Cross. He worked for Foxen Plumbing and Heating and Lansing Bros. Construction. Ron was drafted and served in Vietnam from 1968 - 1969, where he came in contact with "Agent Orange". After his return, he began work for Central Foam in downtown Dubuque. He later married Bonnie Burkle on June 13, 1987 in Petersburg, Iowa. Ron owned and operated the Luxemburg Longhorn Bar & Grill from 1979 until 1992. He then drove semi for NFC Trucking, hauling merchandise for Nordstom Stores until his retirement in November 2005, due to his illness. Everyone knew "Hot Rod" for his ability to tell a great story and his unique laugh. When Hot Rod laughed, we all laughed with him. He enjoyed snowmobiling and his cars, especially his Mustang convertible. He also treasured the time he spent with his kids and his family. Ron was involved with the VFW in New Vienna, Catholic Order of Foresters, Drift Skippers, Dubuque County Trails, River Trails Club, Pony Express Run and the Tri-County Sportsmen. Special thank you to Amy C. and Stephanie with Hospice of Dubuque, Fr. Gross, the VFW in New Vienna, all of Ron's NFC trucker friends and the Four-Way coffee crew.