Mary Jean Steffen

Mary Jean Steffen, 82, of Crofton, Nebraska died on Monday, November 11, 2024 at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, SD.

Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, November 15, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Crofton with the Rev. Jim Keiter officiating. Burial will be at St. Rose of Lima Cemetery in Crofton. Visitation will be on Thursday, at church, from 5-8:00 p.m. with a Vigil service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services. Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home in Crofton.

You may watch a livestream of the funeral at www.facebook.com/WintzRay/live 

 Pallbearers will be Randy Steffen, Ron Steffen, Bob Steffen, Tyler Steffen, Dan Stoutamire, Steffen Stoutamire, Jakson Stoutamire, and Isaac Steffen.

Honorary pallbearers will be Mary Jean’s grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Mary Jean was born on July 30, 1942 in Hartington, Nebraska to Hugo William and Hildegarde Teresa (Arens) Lammers. She attended the Lammers Ranch School for one year and then went to St. John the Baptist school in Fordyce thru the eighth grade. Mary Jean graduated from Holy Trinity High School in Hartington in 1960. She married Gerald “Jerry” Francis Steffen on October 9, 1962 in Fordyce, NE. Mary Jean and Jerry moved to Crofton where Jerry was employed. Mary Jean was a stay at home mom while raising their five children, Randy, Charleen, Ronald, Robert, and Beth. In 1983 she went to work at Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, SD in the dietary department and later at Majestic Bluffs when it opened. Her career employment spanned a total of 25 years in Yankton.

 Mary Jean was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Fordyce and then at St. Rose of Lima Catholic church in Crofton, Christian Mothers. She always loved the Christmas season with the baking and decorating. Her fondest memories of her childhood included dancing with her dad, working in the kitchen with her mom and enjoying the farm life with her brothers and sisters. Mary Jean loved sewing and quilting, of which all of her family and grandchildren have one of her treasures made with her loving hands. She loved dancing to waltzs, polkas and country music. Mary Jean loved to sleigh ride with not only her own kids, but with her grandkids and neighbor kids as well. Her family was always a priority in her life and provided her with cherished memories and laughter. Her final message to her family was “Always be kind and humble” and “Forgive one another, as God forgives you!”

 Mary Jean is survived by her husband Gerald “Jerry” of Crofton; her five children Randy (Nancy) Steffen of Crofton, Charleen Stessman of Topeka, KS, Ron (Karyn) Steffen of Crofton, Robert (Julie) Steffen of Crofton; Beth (Dan) Stoutamire of Sioux Falls, SD; 17 grandchildren; 9 great grandchildren; siblings Allan (Carol) Lammers of Hartington, Darrell (Jean) Lammers of Hartington, Anita Kneifl of Sioux Falls, SD; sisters-in-law Marcella Lammers of Yankton, SD, Glendy Lammers of Hartington, Pat Lammers of Fremont, Lorie Lammers of Hartington.

 She was preceded in death by her parents Hugo and Hildegarde (Arens) Lammers; sister Denelda (Marcel) Becker; brothers Marvin, Vernon, Merlin, and David Lammers.