Hilda Frances Steffes

Hilda Frances Steffes was born November 27, 1917, at home near Dedham, Iowa. She was the second of nine children born to Frank and Katie (Bierl) Fischer. Hilda attended various country schools and graduated the 8th grade from Templeton. As the oldest girl she helped care for her younger siblings and learned many homemaking skills. On January 7, 1941, Hilda married Alvin Joseph Steffes at Sacred Heart in Templeton. It was too expensive to heat the whole church at that time so they were married in the Chapel. Hilda and Alvin started their life together on a farm north of Templeton, where Hilda raised chickens, a large garden, and 7 children. She not only fed her family on the garden, but canned and fixed lunch and dinners for the hired hands. She had many other skills such as wood- working, making shelves and a baby bed. She also enjoyed sewing, crocheting, weaving rugs on her loom, and making quilts for every member of her family. In 1977, Hilda and Alvin moved to Templeton to a house that Alvin and his children built. Hilda continued to garden, sew, and crochet along with new hobbies like Bingo and two card clubs, but she did miss her chickens. She was a Charter Member of the Templeton Quilting Club of 1987 and the Templeton Catholic Daughters. Hilda remained active in these hobbies until her eyesight failed. Hilda continued to live in her home through 2006 with the gracious help of her neighbors, Sonny and Helen Irlbeck. She became a resident of the Manning Plaza in 2007, where she enjoyed riding in her "limo" and trips to the snack bar. Hilda passed away peacefully on September 30, 2010 at the age of 92 years, 10 months and 3 days. Hilda was preceded in death by her parents; husband Alvin, grandson Cory DeBoth, sister Rita Ferden, and brother John Fischer. She is survived by her children, Gerald (Charlene) Steffes of Omaha, NE; Larry (Ielene) Steffes of Okoboji; Karen DeBoth of Manning; Glen Steffes of Carroll; Jolene Rohe of Terrell, TX; Donna (Gary) Ocken of Maricopa, AZ; Gene (Sherri) Steffes of Manning; 22 grandchildren; 27 great grandchildren; three brothers Clarence Fischer of Carroll; Otmar (Cookie) Fischer of Algona; Leonard Fischer of Carroll; three sisters Catherine (Bob) Pelfresne of Osegee, MI; Mary Dentlinger of Audubon; Dorothy (Frank) Youngblood of Shogamish WA; sister-in-law Helen Kasperbauer of Manning; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Lector ROBB STEFFES Giftbearers RHONDA FORSTHE DEB COUGLON TRISHA STEFFES MINDY BYLAND HOLLY STEFFES TINA SPAIN BRENDA OCKEN ASHLEY STEFFES Music "ON EAGLE'S WINGS" "AMAZING GRACE" "LET THERE BE PEACE ON EARTH" "GENTLE WOMAN" "HOW GREAT THOU ART" SACRED HEART MEN'S CHOIR JEANNE KERKHOFF, ORGANIST Casket Bearers BOB STEFFES MIKE STEFFES NICK STEFFES MARC STEFFES MATT STEFFES SCOTT STEFFES TODD ROHE BRUCE OCKEN GREG OCKEN NATE STEFFES CODY STEFFES COLE STEFFES MITCHEL STEFFES