Steffen, Wilma 1912-1986

STEFFEN, SPARKS, HOWELL, DAVIS

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 2/28/2011 at 20:05:20

RITES HELD FOR MRS. STEFFEN

Wilma Howell Steffen, 74, of Fourth and Washington, Malcom, died of cancer Saturday, Oct. 11, at State Center Manor.

Funeral services were conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Trinity Lutheran Church near Malcom, with the Rev. Gerald Brown officiating. Organist was Teresa Ziegenmeyer. Pallbearers were Alan Fenner, Carl Fenner, Clair Fenner, Charles Fenner, Ed Fenner and Harold Howell. Burial was in Ivy Hill Cemetery at Malcom, with the Smith Funeral Home of Grinnell in charge of arrangements.

A Wilma Steffen Memorial Fund has been established.

The daughter of Albert and Ada Sparks Howell, she was born on March 18, 1912, at Lynnville. The family moved to the Newton area where she was a 1930 graduate of Newton High School. She received her teacher's certificate from William Penn College at Oskaloosa and taught in rural schools in Jasper and Poweshiek counties.

On Aug. 16, 1948, she was married to Heinrich (Heine) Steffen at Malcom. Mr. and Mrs. Steffen farmed near Malcom for many years. In 1970, they moved into Malcom and Mrs. Steffen worked at a Malcom restaurant and as a nurse's aide at Grinnell General Hospital. She was a member of St. James Lutheran Church of Victor and the Rebekah Lodge of Malcom.

She is survived by her husband; one daughter, Ada Davis, of rural Albion; two grandchildren; and one brother, Glenn Howell of Grinnell. She was preceded in death by her parents and one son, Marvin Steffen.