Joan M. Steffes

Joan M. (Buechel) Steffes, age 91, formerly of rural St. Cloud “St. Joe”, died peacefully on Thursday, September 3rd, 2026 with her family by her side at Villa Rosa Assisted Living where she resided for over a year.

Joan was born on January 29, 1935 to the late Herman and Ludvina (Freund) Buechel, Sr. in the town of Charlestown, Calumet County, WI. January 29th was the same birthdate date as her dad (Herman), her grandma (Elizabeth Freund), and her great-grandma (Theresia Leitner). She attended St. Peter Catholic Grade School, St. Matthew Catholic Grade School, and St. Mary’s Springs High School. On September 28, 1963 she married Donald Steffes at St. Peter Catholic Church. Don preceded her in death on May 24, 2022. They resided in the home they built in St. Joe all their married life. Joan worked more than 40 years at St. Lawrence Seminary.

Joan loved her family very much. She also enjoyed birds and other wildlife in their yard.

She is survived by her daughter and son: Nancy (Brian) Preder of St. Cloud and Bob (Diana) Steffes of Wauwatosa; grandchildren: Samantha (Neil) Turley, Chaislyn (Nate) Kretlow, Gabriel Preder, Fiona Steffes and Jasmine Steffes; great-grandchildren: William and Nikolai Turley, Carver Kretlow; siblings: Diana Abler, Joyce (Ron) VerHaagh, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Janet Buechel, Betty Buechel, Pat Birschbach, Judy Zignsheim, Joe (Raye Marie) Steffes, and Gail Steffes. Joan is further survived by her step-brother: Dave (Karen) Tetzke, many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many special friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Don; parents, step-mother: Lucille Tetzke Buechel; siblings: Marilyn (Roger) Schneider, Herman Buechel Jr., Betty (Lester) Stephanie, Teresa (Jack) Steffen, and Allen Buechel, father-in-law and mother-in-law: Herman & Ludvina Buechel, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Donald Abler, Dolores (Elmer) Petrie, Henry Birschbach, Ed Zingsheim, and Eugene (Donna) Steffes, Sylvin Steffes, Mary Ann (Eugene) Birschbach and Vern Steffes, and close family friend: Gene Berg.

A Liturgy Mass of Christian Burial for Joan will be held on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Our Lady of the Holyland Catholic Parish-Holy Cross Site, 308 S. Cty Rd, W, Mount Calvary. Entombment will take place at Shrine of Rest Chapel Mausoleum in Fond du Lac on Wednesday, September 16, 2026.

The family will greet relatives and friends at Our Lady of the Holyland Catholic Parish-Holy Cross Site on Tuesday from 9:00 AM until 10:45 AM when brief family rites will be held.

The family extends a heartfelt thank you to the staff and volunteers at Villa Rosa Assisted Living, SSM Health at Home-Hospice, Sr. Stephen, Sr. Jenada, and Fr. Oliver.