Erbie Steffens

Monday, June 3, 2019 12:50 pm

Erbie Steffens, 92, of Decorah, died Tuesday, May 28, 2019, at his home in Decorah. Funeral services were at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 1, at the Decorah Lutheran Church, 309 Winnebago Street, Decorah, with Rev. Allen Vik presiding. Organist was Kathy Murray. Soloist was Kari Steffens Maffin (“The Lord’s Prayer”). Hymns were “How Great Thou Art,” “Amazing Grace,” “On Eagle’s Wings” and “Lead On, O King Eternal.” Burial was in the Phelps Cemetery, Decorah. Visitation was from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 31, at the Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, 604 South Avenue, Decorah, and also after 10 a.m. at the church Saturday morning. Memorials may be made to the Winneshiek Co. 4-H endowment fund and the Decorah Lutheran Church endowment fund in memory of Erbie.

Erbie Lorenz Steffens was born Dec. 30, 1926, the son of Edward and Frieda (Vagts) Steffens in West Union. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Peters Lutheran Church in Eldorado. Erbie graduated from West Union High School. After high school, Erbie started farming on the family farm with his father north of Eldorado. He married Geraldine Stortz Sept. 3, 1950, at First Lutheran Church in Decorah and together they had four children: Larry, Robin, Cheryl and Mark. In 1959, they moved to the Decorah area and rented a farm that they eventually purchased near Frankvill. His passions included his family, traveling, Iowa State Cyclones and of course registered Holsteins. Erbie and his wife Gerry enjoyed doing a lot together including going to family events, supporting 4-H and the county fair and taking trips. They traveled to Europe twice, attended the National Holstein conventions all across the United States and traveled to Washington D.C. (at the same time as 9/11). He was proud of the fact that he, all of his children and a couple of his grandchildren showed cattle for 70 years straight. Erbie held numerous positions of leadership including: Iowa Holstein Association state president and membership on the Winneshiek County Fair board, Winneshiek County DHIA board, Winneshiek County Dairy Promotion board, and the NE Iowa Farm Services Coop board of directors. He served as a 4-H leader and was township clerk for Frankville Township for 43 years. He received numerous honors including: Distinguished Service Award in 2017 by Winneshiek County Ag Association; State Distinguished Dairyman in 1977; and received the Distinguished Service Award and Master Breeder Award by the State Holstein Association. He lived by the mantra, “If you take care of the cattle, they will take care of you.”

Erbie is survived by his four children: Larry (Karen) Steffens, Cedar Falls; Robin Hansen, Decorah; Cheryl (Don) Wagner, Farmersburg; and Mark Steffens, Decorah; seven grandchildren: Kristin (Kelly) Carpenter, Renee (Nate) Greiner, Alex (fiancé, Brittney Luth) Steffens, Trent (Teng) Zhao, Brian Wagner, Randy (Samantha) Wagner and Lynnette (Ryan) Koopman; eight great-grandchildren: Beau and Dane Greiner, Ben and Luke Carpenter, Thomas Zhao, Waverly and Tyson Wagner, Reese Koopmann with an additional Koopmann on the way; two brothers, Lester Steffens, West Union and Reuben (Mary) Steffens, Clermont; sister-in-law, Hazel Stortz, Decorah; along with many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and -nephews.

Erbie was preceded in death by his wife, Geraldine; parents, Edward and Frieda (Vagts) Steffens; sisters, Edna Steffens and Anita (Jack) Parsons; sister-in-law, Leona Steffens; father and mother-in-law, Walter and Luella (Stoskopf) Stortz; brothers-in-law, Robert Stortz and Erlin (Agnes) Stortz.