Obituary of Kleo Steffen
Steffen Kleo
Kleo William Steffen age 91 of Menno, SD peacefully passed away a little after 5 am Friday, December 13, 2024 at the Menno/Olivet Care Center in Menno, SD. A committal service will be held in the spring at Wittenberg Cemetery in Olivet. Opsahl-Kostel Memorial Chapel of Menno is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be sent at www.opsahl-kostelfuneralhome.com.
Kleo was born February 22, 1933 in Olivet to William and Velma Steffen (Boegler) who farmed north of Olivet. Kleo graduated from Menno High School and attended college at Springfield, SD where he met his beautiful bride, Betty and were married August 2nd, 1952. Kleo helped build the Lewis and Clark Dam prior to becoming dairy farmers and eventually moved on the home place after the passing of his father. Besides farming he loved to hunt pheasants and deer with gun and bow. After retiring from the farm, Kleo and Betty purchased a convenience store in Olivet and purchased a home directly across the road. Kleo worked for Mettler Implement after closing the convenience store. On his permanent retirement they moved to Menno where he was hired to work at the Pioneer Power Show year-round, which he loved. His duties included up keep of the buildings and equipment, he built wooden patio furniture and farm toys which sold at the Power Show. He kept the grounds mowed and used his golf cart to give rides from the parking lot and to empty the trash cans. One of his last things to check off his bucket list before passing was to give rides for the last time at the 2024 Pioneer Power Show.
But the thing Kleo loved the most, beside Betty was Jesus. He was carried to church as a baby and spent his life in faithful attendance and service as a trustee, Sunday school teacher, helped with the men’s Ground Hog Day feed, and always made sure the sound system worked. He enjoyed singing in the church choir and singing with his daughter Crystal and son Robert.
In retirement Kleo made wooden cross necklaces to give to people as a testimony for Jesus. He also attended The Walk to Emaus and made necklaces and other things to be given to the attendees.
Kleo is survived by his sister Myrna Herrboldt of Menno, SD. His two children. Son Robert Steffen of Lexington, Kentucky. His daughter Ashley Heath of Kentucky and her two children. Daughter Crystal Steege of Sioux Falls, SD. Her three children, Nichole Lund of NC, Eric Stockman of IA and his four children and Zackery Steffen of SD.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Kleo Steffen, please visit Tribute Store