STEFFEN, Doris B. (Rieken) 1928-2018

STEFFEN, RIEKEN

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 11/7/2024 at 16:45:13

Doris B. Steffen

July 17, 1928 - September 27, 2018

Doris B. Rieken, age 90, died on Thursday evening, September 27, 2018 at Colonial Manor in Elma, Iowa.

She was born on the family farm south of Riceville, Iowa to Edward and Gertrude Rieken. She was the oldest of three children. She married the love of her life, Milton (Mike) Steffen on August 26, 1949 at St. Peter’s Lutheran Parsonage.

She was a farm wife until they retired and moved into Riceville. On the farm, she kept the books, fixed machinery, all while raising a family and teaching her children life lessons including how to play cards.

She was a loving wife, mom, grandma, great grandma, daughter, sister, and friend. She led an amazing life of doing, creating, and giving to her family, friends, and church. Doris took great pride in her children and their accomplishments. She was a wonderful homemaker and greatly enjoyed spending time with her family.

She took great pride in being a member of St. Peters Lutheran Church for 90 years. She was a member of Ladies Aid, the quilting group, ordered cards, and sent out cards for the church. She volunteered her time for many things at the church. She also was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She also volunteered at the Riceville nursing home over the years including watering the flowers, doing mending of clothing, providing birthday cards, making mother’s day corsages, visiting and playing cards with residents.

We will remember her humor and quick wit, positive attitude, resilience, her work ethic, her creativity, and willingness to help others. She loved playing cards with her friends and family, going to the casino, catching a bigger fish than her husband, and making quilts for her grandchildren and the church.

Survivors include children: Norma (Robert) Gronwoldt of Waterloo, IA, Nadine (Tony) Goergen of Rochester, MN, Russell (Tammy) Steffen of Sumner, IA, Carol (Tom) Eling of Menomonee Falls, WI, and Karen (Eric) Idso of Stewartville, MN; a son-in-law, Mike Palmersheim of Wabasha, MN; 15 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren and expecting one more; brother Donald Rieken and sister Shirley Rieken.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Mike; and her daughter Nancy Palmersheim of Wabasha, MN.

Doris's wishes were to have memorials to St. Peter's Lutheran Church for the Cemetery Endowment fund.

Cemetery Details--
Location:
St. Peter's Lutheran
13798 Addison Ave
Riceville, Iowa

SOURCE: Lindstrom Funeral Home website