White Funeral Home
1315 Main Street
Jesup, Iowa 50648

Dunkerton – Alfred Francis Steffen, 87 years old of rural Dunkerton, IA, died Thursday, January 10, 2013, at his home.  He was born on February 27, 1925, to Joseph N. and Mathilda A. (Meier) Steffen in Fairbank, IA.  Alfred married Ann J. Ortscheid on November 16, 1954, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Waterloo, IA.  Ann died on March 7, 2009.

Al and his brother Richard farmed the family homestead their whole lives.  Alfred was an advocate for organic farming and sustainable agriculture for 47 years.  Being a farmer and feeding people was important to him.  He was a true steward of the soil and willing to share his story with all ages.  He was a member of the National Farmers Organization, The National Catholic Rural Life Org., and past member of the Dunkerton Community School and Don Bosco Catholic School Boards.  He served in the United States Army in Korea.  He was a life-long member of St. Francis Catholic Church, Barclay.  Alfred enjoyed playing cards and doing jigsaw puzzles.

Alfred is survived by his children; Nancy Steffen, Helen Steffen and Alice Steffen of Waterloo, IA, Alan Steffen of Cedar Falls, Michael (Cheryl Schmitz) Steffen and Carol Steffen of Dunkerton, IA, and Mary (Hap) Miller of Knoxville, IA.  His grandchildren include; Lauren (Aaron) Aguilar, Edward Steffen, Sam Steffen, Adam Miller and Megan (Loren) Lettington.  Alfred enjoyed his great-grandchildren; Roen Miller, Briar and Hadley Lettington.  Surviving siblings are Norbert (Betty) Steffen and Sylvester (Fely) Steffen of New Hampton, IA, Reverend Arnold Steffen, SVD of Papua, New Guinea, Ralph Steffen of Hoffman Estates, IL, Sr. Justina Steffen, OSF of Dubuque, IA, and sister-in-laws, Margaret Steffen of Dunkerton, IA and Betty Steffen of Ames, IA.  He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, a daughter Rose, brothers, Vincent, Cletus and Richard, a sister, Sr. Samuel Steffen, OSF and a sister-in-law Lillian Steffen.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 15, 2013, at St. Francis Catholic Church, Barclay in rural Dunkerton, IA with burial in the church cemetery.  Military Rites will be conducted by Peter Kress American Legion Post #636 of Dunkerton, IA.  Visitation will be held on Monday, January 14^th from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the White Funeral Home, Jesup, IA, where there will be a parish rosary at 4:00 p.m. and Vigil service at 7:00 p.m.  Visitation will continue for an hour before services Tuesday at the church.

At Al’s request, memorials may be directed to the family, who will divide them among his favorite charities.