White Funeral Home
1315 Main Street
Jesup, Iowa 50648

Dunkerton – Joseph Richard "Dick" Steffen was born on January 26, 1920 to Joseph N. and Matilda A. (Meier) Steffen in rural Dunkerton.  Mr. Steffen passed away on December 2, 2011 at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, Iowa after a brief illness at the age of 91.

Richard farmed the family homestead all his life.  He was an advocate of all aspects of agriculture especially labor and marketing issues. Beginning in 1965, he and his brother Alfred proudly established the practice of organic farming on the family farm and continue the promotion of sustainable agriculture.  A great deal of his life was dedicated to promoting and support of the Iowa National Farmers Organization, serving as county, district and state president as well as being a member of the national Board of Directors for the NFO.  He also served on the Board of Directors of the Iowa National Catholic Rural Life, representing the Archdiocese of Dubuque, and a member of the Iowa CCI (Citizens for Community Improvement).  Peace and Justice causes were at the heart of all his efforts.  He served in the United States Marine Corps from 1941-1944 during WWII in the South Pacific.  He was a life-long member of St. Francis Catholic Church – Barclay.  He served on several Black Hawk County boards including the Planning and Zoning Committee and was active in the Democratic Party.  It has been said of Richard that he could fix or build anything out of anything.  He especially enjoyed reading, playing cards and solving puzzles.

Richard is survived by his brothers – Norbert (Betty) and Sylvester (Fely) of New Hampton, Alfred of Dunkerton, Reverend Arnold, SVD of Papua, New Guinea, Ralph of Hoffman Estates, IL , a sister, Sr. Justina, OSF (Eleanor) of Dubuque and sister-in-laws Margaret Steffen of Dunkerton and Betty Steffen of Ames.  He also had 35 nieces and nephews and numerous great and great-great nieces and nephews.  In addition to his parents, brothers Vincent and Cletus, one sister, Sr. Samuel Steffen, OSF, and two sister-in-laws, Ann Steffen and Lillian Steffen preceded him in death.

Mr. Steffen has donated his body to educational research.  His family and friends are invited to gather for a Memorial Mass and fellowship on Saturday, December 10, 2011 at 11:00 AM at St. Francis Catholic Church, 7837 E. Airline Hwy., Dunkerton, IA.

Memorials may be directed to the family or online to the University of Iowa Healthcare Hope Lodge http://bit.ly/HopeLodge_IowaCity