Henry Steffen

Henry W. Steffen, age 79, passed peacefully into heaven on Saturday, September 4, 2010 at the Lakota Good Samaritan Center in Lakota, ND.

Henry William Steffen was born on August 29, 1931 in Fairfield, ND, the 4 th child of Fred and Emelia (Roth) Steffen - he was one of 15 children born. He grew up in Fairfield and on the family farm south of Killdeer, ND. He learned farming and carpentry skills from his dad - he was a skilled carpenter and machinist. He was known for building beautiful bird houses, furniture, and clocks. As a young man he worked his way to California by building elevators and bridges, and was a machinist in California. He returned to ND and worked in construction at Dickinson, Melrose, Gwinner, and at American Crystal Sugar in Crookston, MN. He retired from Crystal Sugar on October 1, 1992. Henry was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran faith and was a member of St. Paul 's Lutheran in Crookston. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on March 31, 1951 and was honorably discharged on April 1, 1954. He served in the Korean War. He received a combat infantry badge, good conduct medal, Korean Service Medal with two BSS, United Nations Service Medal, and National Defense Service Medal. He attended school at Fairfield , ND and Killdeer, ND. He became a resident of the Lakota Good Samaritan Center on February 26, 2010.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Carl, David, William, and Donald & Robert as infants; and a sister, Hilda Visness.

He is survived by his son, Donald David Renne of Denver, CO; 3 brothers, Irvin & Virla Steffen of Deer Park, WA, Walter Steffen of Killdeer, ND, and John & Betty Steffen of Selma, IN; 5 sisters, Viola & Arthur Lundberg of Killdeer, ND, Rose & Darl Thompson of Fairview, MT, Dorothy Johnson & Gus Mayer of Michigan, ND, Elaine & Harry Carsen of Beulah, ND, Connie & William Connolly of Dickinson, ND; sisters-in-law, Eileen Steffen & Elton Witt of Dickinson, ND, Carrol & Mel Cass of Eugene, OR; and many nieces & nephews.

A memorial service and burial will be held at a later date in Killdeer, ND.