Mass of Christian Burial was Nov. 15 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Crofton, with the Rev. Jim Keiter officiating. Burial was at St. Rose of Lima Cemetery, Crofton. Visitation was Thursday, at church, with a Vigil service. Visitation continued one hour prior to services.

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

Honorary pallbearers were Mary Jean’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Arrangements were under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home, Crofton.

Mary Jean was born July 30, 1942, in Hartington, 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, Fordyce, through the eighth grade. Mary Jean graduated from Holy Trinity High School, Hartington, in 1960. She married Gerald “Jerry” Francis Steffen Oct. 9, 1962, in Fordyce. 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, Yankton, S.D., 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, Fordyce, and then at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Crofton, and 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 waltzes, 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,” Crofton; her five children, Randy (Nancy) Steffen, Crofton; Charleen Stessman, Topeka, Kan.; Ron (Karyn) Steffen, Crofton; Robert (Julie) Steffen, Crofton; Beth (Dan) Stoutamire, Sioux Falls, S.D.; 17 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; siblings, Allan (Carol) Lammers, Hartington; Darrell (Jean) Lammers, Hartington; Anita Kneifl, Sioux Falls, S.D.; sisters-in-law, Marcella Lammers, Yankton, S.D.; Glendy Lammers, Hartington; Pat Lammers, Fremont; Lorie Lammers, 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.