John Frederick Steffen was born October 17, 1907, at the Steffen homestead southwest of Burke to Fritz and Ottelia (Roeder) Steffen. He died July 22, 2005 at the Rosebud Country Care Center in Gregory at the age of 97 years, 9 months and 5 days.

John attended school at the Bottomstone (later Volmer) School #82 in Jones Township graduating from the eighth grade. He was united in marriage to Velma Wilson on March 16, 1943, and to this union two children were born.

Velma and John lived on the Steffen homestead all but the first year of their married life. Shortly after Velma passed away in November, 1992, John moved to Parkview Manor in Burke. Later he resided at Whispering Pines in Burke, and finally his last years were spent at Rosebud Country Care in Gregory.

Cattle and horses were Johns favorite on the farm operation. In the 1960s John planted most of the cropland that had been farmed since being broken in the homestead days back to grass. John enjoyed hunting, trapping, and fishing along the Ponca Creek throughout his lifetime. Friends and relatives were a highlight to John when they came to visit.

John was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, one grandson, one son-in-law, five sisters and five brothers.

He is survived by his children: Mildred Saboe of Willow Lake; and David and wife Jeanne of Burke; 6 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, July 26, 2005 at 10:30 AM at Grace Lutheran Church in Burke. Burial will be in the Graceland Cemetery, Burke. Visitation will be Monday, July 25, 2005, from 4 to 8 PM at the funeral home.