Bertha "Betty" Steffen passed away on May 17, 2006 at Parkview Manor, Reinbeck, Iowa. A 90-year resident of the Reinbeck-Dinsdale area, Mrs. Steffen was born September 24, 1915 on her family's farm in Tama County. She was the daughter of Hans and Amanda Strohbehn Ehlers and was the youngest of seven brothers and sisters.
She graduated from Dinsdale High School, class of 1934 along with seven classmates. Later she married Lyle Steffen and became the mother of two beloved children, Carol and Jack.
Mrs. Steffen worked as a mother, homemaker and farmer. She was a member of the Rebecca Lodge and the Ladies Aid Society of the Union Congregational United Church of Christ in Reinbeck.
Survivors include her children and their spouses, Carol and Alex Wilson of Carefree, Arizona and Jack and Jeannie Steffen of Reinbeck; one granddaughter, Amanda Steffen; four step-grandchildren, Tania Wood and Katie, Seth and Dana Wortinger; one sister, Irene Toben; and five sisters/brothers-in-law, Wilma and Walter Mennenga of Reinbeck and Lorna and Clar Lofte and LaMerne Lettington all of Des Moines. She is also survived by eight nieces and nephews in whom she delighted; Ila Hoeppner, George Ehlers, Paul Paton, Jane Vajert, Gordon Mennenga, Sandra Stark, Gary Mennenga and Linda Robertson; and by many great-nieces and great-nephews.
Mrs. Steffen was preceded in death in 1997 by her husband of more than fifty years; her parents and the following siblings: Edna Paton, George Ehlers, Grace Cavanaugh, John Ehlers, and Lyman Ehlers.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am, Saturday, May 20 at the Union Congregational United Church of Christ in Reinbeck with Pastor Joel Love officiating. Cremation will follow. Visitation is from 5 pm to 7 pm on Friday at French Hand Funeral Home in Reinbeck.