Catherine "Katie" Steffan

Catherine (Katie) Steffan, 91, of Devils Lake, died Thursday, September 28, 2017 at Heartland Eventide with family and Altru Hospice at her side. She was born July 6, 1926 to Michael W. and Johanna (Schwan) Senger.  She married Conrad (Con) Steffan July 7, 1948 and he preceded her in death November 14, 1993. She is survived by her two daughters, Claudia (Doug) Baesler and Peggy (Rykk) Nicholls; five sons, Ron Steffan, Tim Steffan, Bill (Belle) Steffan, Rusty (Jan) Steffan and Scott (Tricia) Steffan; two sisters, Irene (Phillip) Steffan and Marie Kurtz; and, one brother, Bill (Betty) Senger; sisters-in-law Gail Senger and Connie Senger. She is also survived by sixteen grandkids and eleven great grandchildren, all of whom she called “her little darlings”. Katie was raised in the rural Devils Lake area, graduated from St. Mary’s High School, completed college and taught school in Orrin, North Dakota before her marriage. Following her marriage, she lived near Webster, North Dakota where she and Con farmed until the mid-1960s when they moved to Devils Lake and she worked in various retail positions. Her final job was in the accounting department at Mercy Hospital. Katie was a strong, feisty little woman who finally kicked Alzheimer to the curb and headed for a better place. She’s reunited with family and friends.  She’s settled in, she’s happy and is finally at peace. She’s reading, gardening and creating all the crafts she can handle.  We, her family, couldn’t be happier for her or sadder for ourselves.  She was the glue that held us and she will be missed. Friends may call at Gilbertson Funeral Home Tuesday, October 3, 2017 from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM. Rosary and Scripture Service will be Tuesday, October 3, 2017 at 6:30 PM with Reverend Mr. Ken Severinson, Deacon officiating and Gary Kurtz will lead the Rosary.  Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, October 4, 2017 at 2:00 PM at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake with burial to follow at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery.  Serving as pallbearers will be, Jeremy Nicholls, Tanner Nicholls, Eric Dion, Chad Dion, Kyle Baesler, Tyler Steffan, Brett Steffan, and Tate Steffan all members of her “little darlings club”.She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Con; sisters Frances Daniels, Rose OGrocko, Julia Jorgenson, Lena Freeman and Veronica Schiff; brothers Frank, Joe, Peter, Wendy and Jerry Senger. ­ ­ ­