Gary Steffens

Gary Dale Steffens left this earth on April 8, 2021, after a courageous two-year battle with pancreatic cancer.

He was born December 12, 1949, in Creston, Iowa, to John G. and Ruth (Snyder) Steffens.

He lived most of his life near “Norway Center,” between Cumberland and Wiota, with his three siblings, Joyce Anderson, Omaha, NE; Bruce (Luanne) Steffens, Griswold, IA; and Jimmie Steffens, Pocahontas, IA.

After graduating from Atlantic High School in 1968, he moved to Council Bluffs where he met his wife of 50 years, Judith (Henningsen) Steffens. They were blessed with four children, Kari (Mitch) Krueger of Manson, IA; Denise (Tim) Walter of Adel, IA; Travis (Diane) Steffens of Council Bluffs, IA; and Angie Eblen of Atlantic, IA. Ten grandchildren were added to his family: Nathan, Becca and Chris Krueger; Adam (Sam), Sage, and Seth Walter; Jordyn Steffens, Caden Nelsen; Ty and Austin Eblen; and one great-grandchild, Wynston Walter.

Throughout his life, Gary held a variety of jobs – farming, sales, operated the gas truck for the Cumberland Co-op, owned Van’s Chat n Chew, and most recently owned Western Iowa Real Estate. His family always claimed he had a “B.S.” degree that wasn’t from a college – he had a true gift for gab.

At varying times, Gary volunteered for the Pork Producers, Cumberland & Massena Booster Club, was a reserve deputy for the Cass County Sheriff’s Department, served on the Cumberland Centennial Committee, and was a volunteer fireman for the Cumberland Fire Department.

As a wanna-be farmer he enjoyed gardening, helping his kids raise animals for their 4-H projects, and planting sweet corn. He also liked to go deer hunting and feed worms to the fish – they never seemed to latch on to his hook. Judy and Gary also spent many hours searching for the best bargains at auctions and flea markets.

One of his favorite weekly activities was to host “Thirsty Thursday” for his friends. He also enjoyed travel, with one of his favorite vacations being a trip to Alaska.

In addition to his wife, children, and grandchildren, he is survived by his sisters-in-law and brother-in-law: Carol (Terry) Gehring, Orion, IL, and Janice Henningsen, Deloit, IA.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Ruth Steffens, mother and father-in-law, Milroy and Eleanor Henningsen; sisters-in-law, Arlene Rank and Brenda Steffens; and brothers-in-law, John Rank and Robert Henningsen.

Open visitation will be from 12:00 – 6:00 p.m. with family present from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 11, 2021, at Hockenberry Family Care Funeral Home in Atlantic.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday April 12, 2021, at Hockenberry Funeral Home in Atlantic, IA. Family will greet friends after the service at a lunch in Hockenberry’s community room.

There will be a private family burial.

Services are being arranged by Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, Iowa.