In Loving Memory of Virginia Dorothy Steffen

Virginia Dorothy (Stephanie) Steffen was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Mom went to her eternal resting place on October 17, 2026, at the age of 89. Mom leaves behind a lifetime of memories and a legacy of love and commitment to family.

Mom was born on February 2, 1937 in St. Joe, WI to Fredrich and Martha ( Braun) Stephanie. Mom’s early years were spent with her six siblings on the family farm. She attended St. Joseph parish school and completed eighth grade. Mom then attended St. Mary Springs of Fond du Lac for two years. She earned her school tuition and boarding by working at St. Agnes Hospital as a hospital aide. At the age of sixteen, Mom left high school to earn money to help out the family. Mom was then employed by Wehner’s Grocery in St. Cloud.

In 1957, at the age of 20, Mom married the neighbor boy, Eugene Arthur Steffen. They lived, worked and raised six children on the Steffen heritage farm. Sadly, in 1993 Dad was stricken with lung cancer and passed away in 1994 at the young age of 58.

Throughout Mom’s life her family and faith were important to her. She attended St. Joseph parish all her life. She was an active member of the Christian Mothers, the church choir, and was a faith education teacher.

One of the accomplishments Mom was especially proud of was attending high school at the age of 38 to finish her high school education and receive her diploma. Her determination to complete what she had started was an inspiration to many. Mom inspired others in her passion for reading and education. Mom was hardworking and not afraid of a challenge.

Mom loved quilting and sewing, filling our homes with beautiful pieces that are treasured reminders of her. She also loved gardening and tending to her flowers and plants throughout the seasons. The beautiful colors of fall made that her favorite season.

Being a farmer’s wife, Mom understood the value of hard work, patience, and caring for the land. Whether she was working in the garden, sewing at her machine, quilting a special piece, or helping with the farm, Mom was the happiest when she was busy creating something that would last or reading a book.

Above all, Mom treasured her family. She gave her love freely and left an enduring mark on the lives of those around her. Her strength, determination, creativity and caring spirit will be remembered and carried on by her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Mom’s hands may no longer be busy with a needle and thread, turning pages of a book, or the work of the farm, but everything she created- and every life she touched- will remain a part of her story.

She will be deeply missed and forever loved.

Those left behind to cherish the memory of Virginia include her sister, Mary Freund, brother-in-law Leo Goebel, sister-in-laws Delores Schmitz and Becky Stephanie and Virginia’s children Janice Kerch, JoAnn (Roger) Boisen, Karen (David) Evers, Arthur Steffen, Wilfred (Jodi) Steffen, Doris ( Randal) Schoenborn. Virginia leaves behind 17 grandchildren Anna (Said) El Mtouni, Perre Kerch, Nathan (Ashly) Boisen, Jacob Boisen, Nicole (Aaron) Hultman, Christopher ( Stephanie) Evers, Brett (Elle) Steffen, Kelly (Andy) Lefeber, Leah Steffen, Alexis (Mitch) Rollow, Zachary (Shannon) Schoenborn, E.J Schoenborn, Hunter Schoenborn, Saylor ( Brandon) Salm, Layton Schoenborn, Remy Schoenborn and 13 great grandchildren.

Preceding in her death were her husband, Eugene Steffen and his parents Arthur and Anna Marie Steffen , Virginia’s parents Fredrich and Martha Stephanie; her son-in-law, Joseph Kerch; two brothers, Ralph Stephanie and Anthony ( Julie ) Stephanie; three sisters, Rosaline (Orville) Ziegelbauer, Alfrieda Goebel, Irene Stephanie and her brother-in-laws Jack (Theresa) Steffen, Jerome Steffen, Eugene Schmitz and Melvin Freud.

A Liturgy Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of the Holyland Parish -t St. Joseph Church in St. Joe on Friday, November 6, 2026. Rev. Paul Koenig, OFM Cap will officiate. Burial will take place after Mass in the church cemetery.

The family will greet relatives and friends at Pielhop Funeral Home, 1311 Thorp Street in St.Cloud 9:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish may contribute to organizations such as Cystic Fibrosis in Virginia’s name.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the amazing staff at St. Francis Skilled Nursing Home in Fond du Lac and Hospice for the wonderful care and compassion shown to our mother and her family.

Online condolences can be made by visiting www.pielhop.com