Erbie Steffens

Erbie Steffens, age 92, of Decorah, IA, died on Tuesday, May 28, 2019, at his home in Decorah, IA. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, June 1, 2019, at the Decorah Lutheran Church, 309 Winnebago Street, Decorah, IA, with Rev. Allen Vik presiding. Burial will be in the Phelps Cemetery, Decorah, IA. Visitation will be from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m., on Friday, May 31 at the Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, 604 South Avenue, Decorah, IA, and also after 10:00 a.m., at the Church on Saturday morning. Memorials may be made to the Winneshiek Co. 4H endowment fund and the Decorah Lutheran Church endowment fund in memory of Erbie.  Erbie Lorenz Steffens was born on December 30, 1926 the son of Edward and Frieda (Vagts) Steffens in West Union, IA. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Peters Lutheran Church in Eldorado, IA. 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 on September 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 Frankville, IA. 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 4H 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 DC (at the same time as 9/11). He was proud of the fact that himself, all of his children and a couple of his grandchildren showed cattle for seventy years straight. Erbie held numerous positions of leadership including: Iowa Holstein Assoc State President, Winn. Co. Fair Board, Winn. Co. DHIA Board, Winn. Co. Dairy Promotion Board, NE Iowa Farm Services Coop Board of Directors, 4H leader, Township Clerk for Frankville Township for forty-three years. He received numerous honors including: Distinguished Service Award in 2017 by Winn. Co. Ag Assoc, State Distinguished Dairyman in 1977 as well as receiving 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, IA; Robin Hansen, Decorah, IA; Cheryl (Don) Wagner, Farmersburg, IA; and Mark Steffens, Decorah, IA. 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 & Dane Greiner, Ben & Luke Carpenter, Thomas Zhao, Waverly & Tyson Wagner, Reese Koopmann with an additional Koopmann on the way. Two brothers: Lester Steffens, West Union, IA, and Reuben (Mary) Steffens, Clermont, IA. Sister-in-law: Hazel Stortz, Decorah, IA 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.