Irvin Steffen
August 26, 1927 — April 14, 2012
Irvin Steffen
Funeral services for Irvin Frederick Steffen, 84, Deer Park, Washington, formerly of Killdeer, ND will be 11:00 a.m. MDT, Friday April 27, 2012 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Killdeer, ND with Pastor Leif Bergerud officiating. Burial will follow in the Killdeer Cemetery. Military Rites will be provided by Ezra Barrows Post 46 of Killdeer.
Visitation for Irvin will be Thursday, April 26, 2012 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Stevenson Funeral Home in Dickinson. Visitation will continue on Friday, one hour prior to services at the Church.
Irvin passed away April 14, 2012 at the Holy Family Hospital in Spokane, Washington.
Irvin F. Steffen was the first child born to Fred and Emelia (Roth) Steffen near Fairfield, ND on August 26, 1927. Growing up just before the depression years, life started out tough. In 1944, he moved with his parents and siblings just north of Manning, ND. From 1949-1951, he worked for Schnells Linoleum & Paint of Dickinson. On September 6, 1951, Irvin was inducted into the Army. He served during the Korean War and received the Korean Service Medal with two bronze stars and a United Nations Service Medal. He was honorably discharged June 1953. Irvin returned to Killdeer and helped his father with farming and carpentry work. On February 18, 1956, Irvin married Helen Jane Lazorenko of Killdeer. Together, the couple moved to Miles City, Montana where Irvin worked at the Veterans hospital as a nurse. Joy entered his life with the birth of his daughter Illabelle and son Kevin. In June of 1960, the young couple was struck with tragedy when their young son, Kevin passed away from spinal meningitis. Then tragedy struck again when Irvin’s beautiful wife, Helen passed away from a brain tumor in February 1961. Irvin was so heart-broken; he wondered how he was going to raise a small daughter by himself. His mother-in-law, Mary Lazorenko took the small child in until he could gather his belongings and moved to the state of Washington. Once he found a good job, Irvin came back for his only child. Several years later he remarried, which ended in divorce. Later, Irvin married Virla Richards Hatton. Irvin loved his Ford vehicles and in 1995, he bought a brand new red one with a camper. Virla and Irvin traveled back to ND to visit each sibling at their home. Some of his passions were wood working, fishing, and listening to polka music with a can of German beer in his hand. He began to square dance and together with Virla they traveled to many events. His carpenter skills led to him building his own home near Deer Park, Washington. Irvin had the right to brag that he built it himself and didn’t have to borrow any money; the key is to save money. The John Deere lawn tractor kept him busy working the five acres and tilling up a large garden spot. He loved to work in the earth and it showed in the produce. Irvin’s constant companion, Rosie, his black lab was always with him.
Irvin is survived by his daughter, Illabelle and favorite son-in-law George Orvalla of Ukiah, California; his wife, Virla of Deer Park, WA; his sister, Viola (Arthur) Lundberg of Killdeer; brother, Walter Steffen of Killdeer; sisters, Rose (Darl) Thompson of Fairview, Montana; Dorothy Johnson, Michigan, ND; brother, John (Betty) Steffen of Selma, Indiana; sisters Elaine (Harry) Carsen of Beulah, ND and Connie (William) Connolly of Dickinson; sister-in-law Eileen Steffen of Dickinson; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Emelia Steffen; his small son, Kevin; his 1st wife, Helen Jane; brothers Henry, Carl, David, Donald, Robert and William and one sister Hilda (Dale) Visness.
Services were held in Spokane Washington on April 21st.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to places that Irvin enjoyed: Memorial Wall of Killdeer, St. John’s Lutheran Church of Killdeer, Killdeer Cemetery or The Cowboy Hall of Fame in Medora.
Click to View Program (PDF)
Burial Date: April 27, 2012
Funeral Home Killdeer, ND
Funeral Service: Friday: St. John’s Lutheran Church, Killdeer, ND
Visitation for Irvin will be Thursday, April 26, 2012 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Stevenson Funeral Home in Dickinson. Visitation will continue on Friday, one hour prior to services at the Church.
Irvin passed away April 14, 2012 at the Holy Family Hospital in Spokane, Washington.
Irvin F. Steffen was the first child born to Fred and Emelia (Roth) Steffen near Fairfield, ND on August 26, 1927. Growing up just before the depression years, life started out tough. In 1944, he moved with his parents and siblings just north of Manning, ND. From 1949-1951, he worked for Schnells Linoleum & Paint of Dickinson. On September 6, 1951, Irvin was inducted into the Army. He served during the Korean War and received the Korean Service Medal with two bronze stars and a United Nations Service Medal. He was honorably discharged June 1953. Irvin returned to Killdeer and helped his father with farming and carpentry work. On February 18, 1956, Irvin married Helen Jane Lazorenko of Killdeer. Together, the couple moved to Miles City, Montana where Irvin worked at the Veterans hospital as a nurse. Joy entered his life with the birth of his daughter Illabelle and son Kevin. In June of 1960, the young couple was struck with tragedy when their young son, Kevin passed away from spinal meningitis. Then tragedy struck again when Irvin’s beautiful wife, Helen passed away from a brain tumor in February 1961. Irvin was so heart-broken; he wondered how he was going to raise a small daughter by himself. His mother-in-law, Mary Lazorenko took the small child in until he could gather his belongings and moved to the state of Washington. Once he found a good job, Irvin came back for his only child. Several years later he remarried, which ended in divorce. Later, Irvin married Virla Richards Hatton. Irvin loved his Ford vehicles and in 1995, he bought a brand new red one with a camper. Virla and Irvin traveled back to ND to visit each sibling at their home. Some of his passions were wood working, fishing, and listening to polka music with a can of German beer in his hand. He began to square dance and together with Virla they traveled to many events. His carpenter skills led to him building his own home near Deer Park, Washington. Irvin had the right to brag that he built it himself and didn’t have to borrow any money; the key is to save money. The John Deere lawn tractor kept him busy working the five acres and tilling up a large garden spot. He loved to work in the earth and it showed in the produce. Irvin’s constant companion, Rosie, his black lab was always with him.
Irvin is survived by his daughter, Illabelle and favorite son-in-law George Orvalla of Ukiah, California; his wife, Virla of Deer Park, WA; his sister, Viola (Arthur) Lundberg of Killdeer; brother, Walter Steffen of Killdeer; sisters, Rose (Darl) Thompson of Fairview, Montana; Dorothy Johnson, Michigan, ND; brother, John (Betty) Steffen of Selma, Indiana; sisters Elaine (Harry) Carsen of Beulah, ND and Connie (William) Connolly of Dickinson; sister-in-law Eileen Steffen of Dickinson; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Emelia Steffen; his small son, Kevin; his 1st wife, Helen Jane; brothers Henry, Carl, David, Donald, Robert and William and one sister Hilda (Dale) Visness.
Services were held in Spokane Washington on April 21st.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to places that Irvin enjoyed: Memorial Wall of Killdeer, St. John’s Lutheran Church of Killdeer, Killdeer Cemetery or The Cowboy Hall of Fame in Medora.
Click to View Program (PDF)
Burial Date: April 27, 2012
Funeral Home Killdeer, ND
Funeral Service: Friday: St. John’s Lutheran Church, Killdeer, ND
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