Leo A. Steffl

Leo Steffl died peacefully at his home with his family near him. He was born Nov. 3, 1939 to Harold and Beatrice (Barnes) Steffl. He attended St. Mary's School and graduated in the class of 1957. He joined the Army National Guard in 1958 and served 3 years where he was a Private skilled in rifle, pistol, and machine gun. He was united in marriage to Grace Palmer on Sept. 19, 1961 at St. Andrew's Church in Fairfax, MN. They began farming in North Home Township in 1962 and were also able to purchase the home farm from his mother in 1973. Besides farming and caring for his cow/calf operation most of his life, Leo worked for a time at Del Monte and also helped neighbors shell corn. In the early eighties he began hauling livestock for the Sleepy Eye Auction Market and later formed Steffl Trucking, working full time hauling hogs for Christensen Farms and Feedlots through the nineties. Through the years he served on St. Mary's Parish Council and the Home Township Board of Supervisors. On Oct. 1, 1999 Leo suffered a stroke thus forcing him to retire. His retirement years on the farm consisted of what he loved - cutting wood for the house and fixing pasture fence and other light maintenance, all of which he took great pride in and was a perfectionist. His love of the farm and outdoors kept him going after the stroke. He enjoyed riding horses in his younger years and later on with the grandkids. If he took a vacation it was always to Italy to see daughter Jan. In the 20 years that she was there he visited 5 times, doing some sightseeing and a little work, of course and he loved every bit of it. His passion for working hard and never taking it easy was one of his many qualities. He was always there when someone needed help and, even after his stroke left him somewhat disabled for 17 years, he accepted the challenge and never complained vocally about it. He had his daily "routine" and nobody could take that away from him. He is survived by his wife Grace, daughters Vickie (Doug) Kral, Jan (Chris) Dublin, sons Donn (Michele), Alan (Marie), 9 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, 4 step grandchildren, sister Barb, brothers Tom and Greg, and many nieces and nephews. Leo was preceded in death by his parents, an infant son, grandson Brandon Dummer, nephew Todd Steffl, brothers Jim and David, and sisters Mary Heidemann and Diane Kienlen. Leo enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, visiting with friends and the close knit group of neighbors that were always willing to exchange favors to help each other out. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation to the American Cancer Society. Visitation 1 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm Thursday, December 22, 2016 Sturm Funeral Home, Sleepy Eye Chapel 301 - 3rd Ave. S.W. Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, United States 56085 Visitation 2 7:30 am - 9:30 am Friday, December 23, 2016 Sturm Funeral Home, Sleepy Eye Chapel 301 - 3rd Ave. S.W. Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, United States 56085 Service Information 10:00 am Friday, December 23, 2016 St. Mary's Catholic Church-Sleepy Eye 636 1st Ave. North Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, United States 56085 Interment Information St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery 720 3rd Ave. N.E. Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, United States 56085