Marion Stegen

Marion Stegen, age 83 of Decorah, IA, passed away Friday, May 16, 2025, at Evans Memorial Home in Cresco, IA.

Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, June 2, 2025 , at Helms Funeral Home, 306 E Water St., Decorah, IA, with Pastor Randy Kittelson presiding. Burial will be in the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery, 715 US-52, Preston, MN 55965.

Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Monday, June 2, 2025, at Helms Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Marion's name to Howard County Community Hospice in Cresco, Iowa.

Marion was born in Bremerhaven, Germany, to Emil and Wilma Lurig, and she emigrated to the United States on her own when she was 17 years old. She married John Lewis in 1961 and they had 2 children, a daughter Renate and a son John Erik.

While living in New Jersey, Marion started her own nursery school. She later had a successful career as an interior design project manager for corporate accounts, including Blue Cross/Blue Shield and the Catholic Health Association, among many others.

After moving to St. Louis, Missouri, Marion met the love of her life and beloved husband of 43 years, Donald Stegen. They began their marriage with a honeymoon trip around the world, traveling to South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Bali, Tahiti, and Japan. Marion's love of travel continued throughout her life and included many trips to Europe as well as trips to China and Hong Kong. She frequently returned to Germany to visit family and often extended these trips to the Italian alps, where she loved to hike.

Marion was a renowned cook and was well known for her extraordinary dinner parties. She also often invited friends for casual dinners to share in her latest creations. She loved to entertain and was a gracious hostess who excelled at putting people at ease. Marion was highly active throughout her life and enjoyed tennis, golf, hiking, biking, fishing and skiing. She was a licensed lay reader in the Episcopal Church and volunteered her time at several charitable organizations. Marion loved to knit and made hats and mittens for the homeless and baby blankets for hospital maternity wards. Family and friends were often gifted beautiful knitted sweaters and blankets.

Marion's radiant smile lit up any room and she will be dearly missed. Although she is gone, she will live in our hearts forever.

Marion is survived by her husband Donald Stegen, her daughter Renate Lewis (Ed), her son John Erik Lewis, her grandchildren Erik and Elaina Lewis, her sister Gerda Schmidtmann (Ernst), her brother Werner Pielhop, and her stepchildren Leah Plourde (Monte), Monti Stegen and Coral Ehrhardt (Mark).