Steffensen, Zilpha Leota 1904-1999

BENJAMIN, DURANT, JAMES, OLESON

Posted By: Wayne K Steffensen (email)
Date: 4/4/2008 at 11:49:12

The following information is from the Funeral Brochure and the obituary published in the Buffalo Center Tribune, Buffalo Center, Iowa

Zilpha Leota Steffensen, daughter of Frank and Emily (Durant) Oleson, was born August 13, 1904, on the Oleson farm in Madison Township, south of Forest City, Iowa. She was baptized at a young age in the Methodist Church in Forest City and in 1919, she formally joined that congregation. Zilpha was united in marriage to Arthur C. Steffensen at the Methodist parsonage in Clear Lake, Iowa. Arthur and Zilpha started farming near Miller, Iowa. They lived on the Steffensen homestead near Forest City until 1936 and from there moved to Joice, Iowa where they completed their family of 11 children. In 1942, the family moved to the Buffalo Center community. In 1955, Zilpha purchased a home in Buffalo Center where she lived until 1991. After moving to town, Zilpha began serving ice cream at the Roller Skating Rink and then was employed at the local Center Cafe where she worked for many years. Zilpha was a friend of many and always had a pleasing smile to those around her. Long after she retired, Zilpha enjoyed entertaining her many friends at coffee parties in her home. It was not unusual for her to be honored by family and friends with three or four birthday parties every August. For the past 50 years Zilpha had been a faithful member of the United Methodist Church of Buffalo Center, where she was also a valued member of the United Methodist Women and Mary Circle until her health started to fail and she entered the Timely Mission Nursing Home. She died Wednesday February 3, 1999 at the Timely Mission Nursing Home, Buffalo Center, Iowa. Zilpha's love of flowers prompted her family to always have flowers in her room. Zilpha is survived by 4 sons: DeVere and wife Clarine of Lake Mills; Cecil and wife Iola of Buffalo Center; Don and wife Barb of Des Moines; Marvin and wife Shelda of West Des Moines; 5 daughters: Elayne Yates of Brooklyn Park, MN; Betty Mitchell of Mankato, MN; Mae Legg and husband Duane of Gabbs, NV; Jeanette Ennen and husband Markley of Buffalo Center; JoAnn Costigan and husband Tom of Litchfield, MN; 2 daughters-in-law: Susan Steffensen of Wilmington, NC; Deloris Steffensen of Buffalo Center, 51 grandchildren, 85 great-grandchildren, 7 great-great-grandchildren, 2 sisters-in-law: Wilna Oleson of Belvedere, SC and Florence Oleson of Hubbard; nieces, nephews, and a host of friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Arthur in 1950; sons: Garth in 1990 and Clyde in 1997; 3 sons-in-law: Robert Mitchell, Oscar Anderson and Gerald Yates; 3 grandchildren, 1 great-grandchild, 6 brothers and 2 sisters.

The funeral arrangement were conducted by Winter Funeral Homes and Cremation, Buffalo Center and Thompson, Iowa. The funeral service was held Friday, February 5, 1999, 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church, Buffalo Center, Iowa. The pastor was Lois Abel. Music was provided by Deb Ennen as Organist, Terri Draxten and Ronny Ennen as Vocalists, with the music "Beyond the Sunset" and "How Great Thou Art". Casket bearers were DeRay Steffensen, Denny Steffensen, Neil Steffensen, Paul Steffensen, Mike Mitchell, and Tim Costigan. Interment was at Olena Mound Cemetery, Buffalo Center, Iowa.