Frederick Thomas Steffen
Fred was born on April 27, 1932 to Floyd and Anna (Gonzagowski) Steffen. His mother passed away shortly after his birth and he moved to Hartford, Wisconsin to be cared for by his beloved Aunt and Uncle, Theodore and Francis Lobby. At age 10 he moved back to Adams to be with his dad and family. He enjoyed playing tennis, and graduated from Adams Friendship High School in 1950. As a young man, he worked setting pins at the friendship bowling alley, with his good friend Bobby Giessel. He was a fireman for the Adams Fire Department. A Supervisor on the Adams County Board. A Boy Scout achieving the Eagle status. He had a pulp cutting crew of 35 men, and worked as a switchman on the railroad. He was a fire spotter for the DNR and worked in the fire towers. He also did lots of wrecking jobs through out the years and did clean up jobs when there were large railroads derailments. He owned a crane and did many crane jobs in the area and dug basements with his caterpillar.
Fred was married to Irene (Pabst) Steffen for 63 years. They were known as the owners of Steffco Supply and the Adams Fleamarket. They liked to travel and took many trips out west with family and friends. Cooke City Montana was one of their favorite destinations. They took in the views of the Black Hills and always had to make a pit stop at Wall Drug along the way. These trips sparked an interest in mining, and it became another hobby of Fred’s. The couple greatly enjoyed watching birds and other wildlife. Fred had a particularly soft spot for animals and was every stray’s new best friend. He had a pet crow at one time, and he could “call crows”. He had a talent of using his hand by his mouth to call them, and the sky would turn black, filling with crows. Quite an amazing thing to see.
He was the master of kite flying and his family eagerly awaited a windy day so they could join in on the challenge of getting a kite into the air. He was so good at it, that although the kites started off the ground in Friendship, the kites traveled over the City of Adams, and people would see them, trying to figure out where they were coming from. They would get in the their vehicles and follow the kite back to Friendship. He would have so many balls of strings attached to them that they had to be reeled back in with a drill.
Fred kept busy with his many different interests. He earned his co-pilot license and spent winters snowmobiling and summers canoeing. He could be found sorting scrap metal or taking a road trip to an auction or Delaney’s Surplus in search of deals he couldn’t pass up. His very favorite thing to do was likely operating heavy construction equipment. It was one of his proudest achievements the day he brought home a 950 L Caterpillar End loader to Steffco Supply.
He always insisted Irene wasn’t cooking meals on the weekend, so you might spot the pair at a local supper club savoring a good meal, complete with a brandy old-fashioned.
Fred is survived by his wife Irene, children Elaine Wilson and Lenore (Michael) Wespetal, grandchildren Jenna Dominguez and Sarah (Robert) Snell, Robert Wespetal Benjamin Wespetal, Brooke Wespetal, 9 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, step sister Arlene Seebecker, special friend Lennard Wilson, and godchild Darla (Jack) George. Fred was preceded in death by his parents, siblings Gwen (Robert) Herriot, Robert (Pam) Steffen, Pat Cook, and grandson-in-law Antonio Dominguez.
The family invites you to celebrate Fred’s life on Sunday, April 2, 2023, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Friendship, Wisconsin, at 511 W Lake Street. The visitation will begin at 2 PM. The service will start at 3 PM and a luncheon will follow. Pastor Jasper Sellnow will officiate.
Thoughts and Prayers go out to the family! So sorry for your loss!
Fred rest in peace. Your work here is done. You have inspired many people to accomplish things that they never thought possible. So you have left your mark here in this world. We had fun working with you at Steffco Supply , enjoying our Saturdays there with you then we all went to eat lunch together at McDonald’s the whole summer. Memories we will have forever! What a wonderful life!
My deepest sympathy, he was such a kind man and always helpful.
Irene, Elaine, and Lenore,
My heart goes out to you. Age doesn’t matter when you lose a loved one. Share all of your precious memories.
We extend our sincere sympathy to Fred’s family at this sad time. May your good memories sustain you in the days ahead.
Sending sympathy and much love to all the Steffen family.
My Dad and I would stop in from time to time for some random building supplies
and always walked out with some great deal and a good story and laugh from Fred.
Snip its of time that really are a treasure.
Irene and family. Strengthening thoughts to you. I loved going to Steffcos with my Dad. Fred called my Dad Chevy Chase. Do to the fact my Dad drove a little red S-10 and his last name was Chase. I loved watching those 2 talk and work out deals.
Thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of this Dear Man. He always had a smile on his face and will be truly missed by all.
May GOD bless you and guide you through this difficult time 🙏🫂❤️
When I was in high school I worked at Pat’s 76 Cafe. Fred would come in quite often and order a piece of apple pie with melted cheese on top! He was just a good guy.
So sorry to hear of Fred’s passing. Irene Just rest knowing he is with the Lord and has no pain or suffering. Sorry i can’t be there but know you are in my prayers. Love Charlie
Sorry for your family’s loss. Enjoyed talking with Fred always had a story. R.I.P. Fred
Fred always made me laugh. His humor reminded me of my Dad, Kenneth Steffen. They both loved Cooke City, Montana.He lived his life as he saw fit and loved every minute of it. Sending our love to you, Irene and your extended family. We will still be in Mexico where we winter on the day of his funeral, but out thoughts and blessings will surround you.
I’m very sorry to hear of your family’s loss, but I’m also enjoying fond memories of riding around Cooke City, Montana in the back of Uncle Fred’s pickup truck, listening to his fun stories in his living room while looking out the back window watching the birds and squirrels at his bird feeders, and the fun week when he and Aunt Irene were stranded at our ranch in NM by a big snowstorm. As a child, I even got a thrilling ride in his airplane once! Uncle Fred was a unique and great man!
I’m praying for your family and that God will bring you comfort.
Heartbreaking for you, but wonderful years of having him in your life with so many memories. Hold those memories and share them, our loved ones live forever in our hearts. hugs to you all
I am so sorry for your loss. Fred was always a nice guy. Sending my prayers
Irene &family
My condolences of Fred’s passing. We were classmates and always called him friend.
You have good memories. Irene Jameson
Lenore and Elaine,
While I didn’t really know your dad, I don’t think anyone in the area didn’t at least know who he was. What an amazing, adventurous and, long life he was blessed with. May your memories be a comfort to you in your grief.
So sorry to hear of Fred’s passing. My condolences to his family. He was a kind and interesting man.
He was one of a kind,enjoyed going to school with him . My thoughts and prayers are with you ja classmate Mary Ritchart
My condolences to the family I feel very privileged to have known Fred, his contributions to the community and knowing your family.
Prayers to the family. Never saw him without a smile. He left a big mark in this community.
So sorry for your loss. Fred was always so interesting to talk too and had great stories whenever we were at Steffco. Keep the memories close. Sending hugs.
My prayers and condolences for your family.
Irene,
My condolences to you and all your family. I’m sure Fred will be greatly missed. My parents (LeRoy and Vera Johnson) always enjoyed their trips to Friendship to visit you and Fred. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Your cousin,
Karyl Johnson
So sorry to hear of Fred passing away. The lord is taking good care of him. He will be greatly missed. Irene and family take care of yourselves.
So sorry to hear Uncle Fred passed away. Condolences to you, Lenore, Aunt Irene and the rest of your family. It’s hard losing a father, keep his memories, stories and laughter in your heart.
Fred was a very special man. He will be missed by many. Prayers for Fred’s
Irene, daughters, and grandchildren.
Take care, Don and Karen Rathke
He will be missed. I always called him Uncle Fred when he came into the co-op/ We bought several building things from him when my husband was alive and he always would say just give me cash. God Bless.
Uncle Fred was a larger than life character who always made us laugh and could tell some incredible stories. There was never a dull moment with him. I look back fondly on the summer I spent taking apart rail cars with him and the crew and driving his bobcat around the yard with a set of wheels from a rail car. Or the time we went shopping with him at an upscale store and he quietly purchased several expensive jackets from a stunned clerk who was fooled by his old overalls and laid back demeanor. Or the stories about the tank he purchased. Despite all the difficulties they faced in their childhood with the Depression, the loss of their mother and the war, Fred, my father Robert and Gwen had a love for life that was truly inspiring. Bless him and bless Irene. Much love to you all.
So sorry for your loss. Keep the memories close. Our condolences.
Sorry for your loss. Fred was quite a man. I remember the family coming over to our house to visit and shuck peas or snap beans. That is a lost tradition. I’ll always remember his and my dad’s friendship. RIP Old crow.
What an interesting man and interesting life! He was one of the few men in Adams Co that my dad , Paul, was truly in awe of. I was always ready to hop in Dad’s Ford truck when he was going to Steffco.
So sorry for your family’s loss.
May he RIP.
So sorry for your families loss…..
So sorry for your loss! My family has you in our thought and prayers.
My condolences to the family. Our thoughts are with all of you.
Sorry for your loss we miss Fred and he will always be missed and loved
What a wonderful life. Mt sympathy to you all.
I’m so very sorry on your loss of Fred. Great man. Hold your memories close
Dear Irene, Elaine, Lenore, and Family,
Fred taught me to pan for gold, but the real gold was in knowing him.
My love and prayers are lifted up to God to humbly ask for His comforting of Fred’s Family and to all his Friends.
May God Bless You and Keep You All In His Love And Tender Mercies.
Love, Lennard and Heather Wilson
So very sorry to hear of Fred’s passing. He was such a hoot. Our little dog Middgie would disapear every day for half an hr. We lived next to Steffco. Good OLE FRED would feed her…same time everyday…a bit of his lunch. Then he would walk her back to the fence and make sure she went home. Oh yes…he sure was an animal lover. My all these fond memories help all family and friends through this loss. Hugs to you all.
My prayers & condolences 💐 for the whole family!
Sending love, prayers and hugs with deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Fred. My dad, John Greene knew him well thru construction and business dealings. I remember his mischievous grin and laugh from my many overnight visits with Elaine. May your memories bring your family peace and comfort in the days ahead.
So very sorry for your family’s loss. I loved listening to Fred’s stories about everything and anything!
So very sorry for your family’s loss