Ruth Ellen Steffl

Ruth Ellen (Marso) Steffl was born on June 9th, 1937 in Taunton, MN to Mathias and Mabel (Revier) Marso. She attended both country school and Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s, graduating in 1955. She then attended Mankato State University, where she earned her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Physical Education in 1959. After graduating from MSU, Ruth spent her first six years teaching in both Bloomington and St. Louis Park. On June 26, 1965, she married Jerome Steffl at St. Mary’s Church in Sleepy Eye. After marriage, she continued teaching full time in Comfrey until her children came. She and Jerome had four children, after which she continued teaching as a substitute for many years at St. Mary’s, Springfield and Morgan. In her youth, she was involved in 4-H and student council, and held jobs at Del Monte, Pietrus Foods and babysitting to pay her way through college. As an adult, she was involved in an extension group, St. Rita Club, Christian Mothers, MCCL and served CCW in various offices. She had a great love for children. She was famous for her baking, most notably for her pies, caramels, Christmas bread and birthday cakes, and was an excellent cook as well. Other hobbies included traveling, playing cards, attending concerts, the theater, and her children’s and grandchildren’s activities.

Ruth died on October 20th after a long struggle with dementia.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Sylvia Steffl and Barbara Marso, and great granddaughter Emery Lentz. Ruth is survived by her devoted husband Jerome; children Amy (Mike) Mages, Sue Steffl (John Barker), Bill (Gizelle) Steffl and Bob (Krista) Steffl. She also leaves behind grandchildren Mikayla (Billy) Bruggeman, Alex (Adrienn) Mages, Bryant Mages, Aaron Iwen, Mark Iwen, Michelle Iwen, Dan (Jess) Lentz, Olivia Steffl, Elizabeth Steffl, Jenna Steffl and Kyle Steffl; great grandchildren Jacqueline, Weston and Brody Bruggeman, and Leo Lentz; siblings Gib Marso and Veronica Schroeder.

She will be dearly missed, but her memory will carry on through her kindness to others, her service and generosity, and her love of children. She made the world a better place with the many lives she has touched.

The service can be watched at https://www.facebook.com/stmarysleepyeye/live