Sylvester Steffen

Sylvester 'Pat' Steffen age 84 of New Hampton, IA, died Thursday, September 7, 2017, at his home surrounded by his family. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, September 13, 2017, at Holy Family Parish with Rev. Brian Dellaert celebrating the Mass with con-celebrant, Rev. Mark Osterhaus. The pall will be placed by Felicitas and their five daughters. Lectors for the service will be Veronica Steffen and Leticia Steffen. Presenting the offertory gifts will be Rebecca Voigt and Theresa Steffen. Pallbearers for the service will be Tim Popken, Gavin Popken, Randy Voigt, Andrew Voigt, Jim Ivery and Daniel Prieto. Friends may greet the family 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 12, 2017, at the Hugeback - Johnson Funeral Home in New Hampton where there will be a 4:00 p.m. rosary. Visitation continues an hour prior to the Mass at the church on Wednesday Sylvester Laurence “Pat” Steffen was born February 26, 1933, on the family farm near Dunkerton, IA, the son of Joseph N. and Matilda A. (Meier) Steffen. Sylvester was the eighth of ten children in the family born during the height of the great depression. He received his elementary education in rural country school and graduated from St. Pauls Mission House in Epworth, IA. He continued his study for the priesthood from 1946-1957, receiving his undergraduate degree at St. Mary’s College in Techny, IL, and then a Master of Science Degree from Iowa State University. During a Catholic Church Conference at the Notre Dame University he fell in love with Felicitas A. Garcia and the couple were married on June 20, 1959, at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Ames. The couple was blessed with six daughters. He and his brothers owned and operated Steffen Farm Supply and Harvestall Industries in New Hampton for many years. He retired in 1985 and continued with his deepest lifetime interest in the existential continuity of evolving life, religion, scientific research into living seed preservation and the linkage of grain, and the Eucharist. He was a published author, spending hours writing, studying and reading. He also loved time on his acreage, working in the garden, mowing and the continual projects at his home. He and Felicitas recently celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary with a large family gathering. They spent precious time enjoying their children and grandchildren. Sylvester’s gentle, kind nature will be missed by all who knew him. Survivors include his wife Felicitas; five daughters, Veronica Steffen (Fernando Prieto) of Madrid, Spain, Rebecca (Randy) Voigt of Decorah, Theresa Steffen of Alexandria, VA, Maria (Tim) Popken of Alta Vista, Leticia Steffen (Jim Ivery) of Pueblo, CO; seven grandchildren, Daniel Prieto, David Prieto, Andrew Voigt, Steffenee Voigt, Gavin Popken, Foster Popken, Isabel Ivery; two brothers, Rev. Arnold Steffen of Techny, IL and Ralph Steffen of Chicago, IL. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Monica on June 9, 2001; brothers, Richard, Alfred, Norbert, Vince and Cletus; two sisters, Sr. Samuel Steffen and Sr. Justina Steffen; and his parents.