George W. Steffen
George Steffen OMAHA — George W. Steffen, 95, Omaha, formerly of Fordyce, died Aug. 8, 2024, at Pacific Springs Village, Omaha.
Mass of Christian Burial was Aug. 12 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Constance, with his grandson, Rev. Scott Nemec officiating. The funeral service was also live streamed at www.facebook.com/Wintz-Ray/live.
Burial was in the St. Joseph Cemetery, Constance.
Pallbearers were Jeff Friedenbach, John Friedenbach, Ryan Nemec, Digger Hansen, Tyler Damme and Troy Paradis.
Visitation, with a rosary and vigil service, was Aug. 11 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, and continued one hour prior to the funeral at the church. Arrangements were under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home, Hartington.
George W. Steffen was born April 8, 1929, to Dora (Asbre) and Joseph Steffen in Fordyce. He was the middle child of nine, six sisters and two brothers. He attended St. Joseph Elementary School, Constance, through the eighth grade. He was busy farming the day high school started, so he never attended. He and his brother, Dan, were active in 4-H, showing Registered Herford cattle. He married Shirley Kuehn Oct. 6, 1953. They lived their life on the Asbre homestead. There, along with crops and livestock, they raised three daughters and two sons.
George was an avid reader. He was reading constantly. He had one of the first computers and kept his records on a computer well into his 80s. Though never learning to swim, he learned to waterski in his late 40s. He was a charter member of the Lakeview Golf Course and enjoyed golfing with Shirley and many golf buddies.
George farmed until he was 86. He sang all day every day while he farmed. He quit farming to take care of Shirley, who had Alzheimer’s. In 2016, they moved to assisted living in Elkhorn, to be near their children. There he took up painting folk art. He received a guitar at 94 and spent many hours strumming and singing.
He is survived by his brother, Jim (Janice) Steffen; his children, Cindy (Mark) Filip, Doug (Kathy Nohr) Steffen, Dr. David (Trish) Steffen, Heidi (Rod) Friedenbach, and Beth (Mark) Nemec; grandchildren, Abby Michalski, Dr. Jennifer Hansen, Melisa Paradis, Dr. Katherine Damme, John Friedenbach, Fr. Scott Nemec, Ryan Nemec, Jeff Friedenbach and Julia Nemec; and eight and one-half great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Shirley, Oct. 18, 2020; his brother, Daniel Steffen; his sisters, Maggie Borte, Delores Broders, Helen Volquardsen, Theresa Sorenson, Rosie Dreesen and Margie Pitman.