Bernice M Steffen

Bernice M. Steffen, age 94 years, of Elroy, Wisconsin, went to see her Savior on Thursday, March 17, 2022 at Elroy Health Services. Her daughter, Sandra, was by her side.

Bernice was the first of 3 daughters born in rural Hillsboro on September 13, 1927 to George and Mildred (Setzer) Durkee. She grew up on a farm between Elroy and Kendall, Wisconsin. As a child, she loved horses and was very proud of her pony. She graduated high school from the country school by Kendall.

On June 6, 1946 she married Roy R. Steffen, who was a decorated and unheralded veteran of WW II. Roy was infantry and fought from Naples to Trieste in Italy. Roy and Bernice started on the family farm outside Elroy and moved to Union Center where their family of four were raised. She always knew what her children were doing. Nothing went unnoticed, and she disciplined or rewarded as was due.

Trucking followed after farming and in 1966, the family moved to Hudson, Wisconsin. They returned to Mauston and Elroy for their retirement years. Bea’s pride and joy were her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her specialties were family dinners with fried chicken, homemade bread and pies. Bea’s new friend was the next person she met. Everyone was welcomed….if you behaved!

Survivors include her children, Sandra Kay (Mike) Kuester of Hillsboro, Randy (Gwen) Steffen of Ripon and Les (Sherry) Steffen of Kerrville, Texas; 9 grandchildren, Jason, Danette (Todd), Ryan (Tiara), Kellie, Lukas, Samantha (Jeremy), Andrea, Elizabeth (Luke) and Rudolph (Amanda); and 11 great grandchildren, Zachary, Caiden, Ava, Remington, Lilian, Evan, Amelia, Logan, Cole, Branch and Oakley.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Roy Steffen on December 5, 2005, her daughter, Wanda Krech and sisters, Bonnie Holtz and Carol Cleaver.

Memorial Funeral Services will be held on Sunday, April 24, 2022 at 1:30 p.m. at the Grace Lutheran Church 226 Erickson Street, Elroy, Wisconsin, with Rev. Gloria Stubisch officiating.  An interment service will be held at the Elroy City Cemetery on Saturday, March 26, 2022, with a gathering at the Picha Funeral Home in Elroy at 1:30 p.m.

A special Thank You for the staff at Elroy Nursing home for their care for Mother.

The Picha Funeral Home in Elroy assisted with arrangements.

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