Helen Mae (Trausch) STEFFENSON

STEFFENSON, TRAUSCH, FISCHER, STUDER

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 10/25/2006 at 16:30:09

Helen Mae Steffenson, 74
April 23, 1929 - Sept. 2, 2003

Helen Mae Steffenson, of Oakdale, Minn. and formerly of New Richmond, died on Tuesday, Sept. 2 at the Woodwinds Hospital in Woodbury, Minn. She was born in Eagle Grove, Iowa on April 23, 1929 to Alfred and Elizabeth (Fischer) Trausch. Helen married Lloyd Irvin Steffenson on Sept. 25, 1954 in Nashua, Iowa at the Little Brown Church in the Vale. The most important thing to Helen was her faith and her family. Worship was a priority, as was service to others. She taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School and participated in many other church activities. Helen was an excellent seamstress, cook and baker. She sewed clothing for her family, pajamas for her grandkids and casserole holders for gifts. She rarely used recipes and was famous for her homemade jams, Christmas cookies and candies, lefsa, and mints for confirmation and graduation celebrations, all of which she shared with family, friends and neighbors. Helen enjoyed gardening, indoor plants, embroidery, word finds and collecting spoons, bells and unique pens and pencils. Everyone was welcome in her home and made to feel special in her presence. Helen survived two battles with cancer and met adversity with grace and couage. She grounded her children in God’s Word, and in the final days of her life Helen’s children surrounded her with scripture, song and prayer.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Lloyd; four brothers; and three sisters. She is survived by her daughter, Barbara Steffenson of Woodbury, Minn.; sons, David (Julie) Steffenson of Little Falls, Minn., Gary Steffenson of Cambridge, Minn.; three grandchildren, Joshua, Jenna and Rachel Steffenson; two sisters, Elizabeth Trausch of Clarion, Iowa, Viola Studer of Des Moines, Iowa; one brother, Richard (Bernice) Trausch of Belmond, Iowa; two sisters-in-law, Alice Trausch of Clarion, Iowa, and June Trausch of Belmond, Iowa. Funeral services were held Friday, Sept. 5 at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Oakdale, Minn. with Pastors Kiri Johnson and Esther Dant officiating. Organist was Pat Hurlbutt and soloist was Jenna Steffenson. Pallbearers were Tim Bakken, John Wygant, Don Anderson, Rachel Steffenson, Cory Steffenson and Josh Steffenson. Interment was in the New Richmond Cemetery with Pastor Eugene Wekander officiating. Beebe Mortuary assisted with arrangements.

© 2003 New Richmond News - New Richmond Wisconsin