Stuart Steffen

Stuart Raymond Steffen was born September 19, 1945, in Springfield, Minnesota, to Raymond and Loretta (Waterman) Steffen. Stuart was baptized on October 28, 1945. He attended grade school at Zion Lutheran School in Sanborn. He was confirmed March 22,1959, at Zion Lutheran Church. He attended Dr. Martin Luther High School and Dr. Martin Luther College in New Ulm. Stuart was united in marriage to Elaine Voth on July 27, 1968 at St. John Lutheran Church in Goodhue. He was a Christian grade school teacher at St. Peter Lutheran School in Chilton, Wisconsin, from1967-78 and at Immanuel Lutheran School in Gibbon from 1978-81. He returned to the family farm in 1981 to farm with his father and brothers. He also taught at St. John Lutheran School in Sleepy Eye from 1981-82 and later returned to teaching from 1993-96 at Zion Lutheran School in Sanborn. He also served as choir director at Zion Lutheran Church and for the Southwest Minnesota Area Lutheran Chorale for many years. Stuart enjoyed singing, directing choir, teaching, reading, farming, watching basketball games, visiting, and spending time with his family--especially his grandchildren. Stuart Raymond Steffen, 62, of Lamberton, died Tuesday April 29, 2008, at the family farm near Sanborn. He is survived by his wife, Elaine, and children, Merrilee (John) Rogotzke of Rochester, Tanya (David) Norris of North Mankato, Andrea (David) Schlei of Oak Creek, Wisconsin, Kari (Bradley) Paul of New Hope, and Craig Steffen of Maple Grove; 15 grandchildren; brothers, Robert (Janice) Steffen of Sanborn and Gerald (Geraldine) Steffen of Sanborn; and aunts, uncle, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.