Irene (Ida) P. Steffan

Irene P. Steffan, 89, of Devils Lake, ND passed away on Monday evening, October 23, 2017 at her daughter’s home surrounded by her loving family and in the care of family and Altru Hospice. Ida Irene Patricia Senger, daughter of Michael and Johanna (Schwan) Senger was born on October 12, 1928 at Devils Lake, ND. She attended St. Mary’s Academy and graduated  with the class of 1945.  She continued her education at Minot State Teacher’s College and received  her teaching certificate. She taught at Orrin, ND and also at the Kato Township School in NE Ramsey County for several years. Irene was united in marriage to Phillip Steffan on November 15, 1950. They established their home on several different farms Northeast of Devils Lake where they lived, worked and raised their family, retiring in 1995.  Irene worked at the Shoe Store in Devils Lake and also worked with the Devils Lake public schools in the kitchens whenever help was needed. She volunteered many hours at Seconds Count Store organizing and also sewing quilts from any and all fabric donated to the cause. Everything ended up in a useable quilt which was then sold in the shop.She also sewed many baby blankets for Social Service in Grand Forks and Ramsey County Public Health. She spent many hours at the nursing home doing hair for the residents. She was an active member for many years with the Infant of Praque circle and the Catholic Daughters. She was a founding member of the Lake Region area organizational meeting for the American Cancer Society, again spending many hours volunteering. She was an active and devoted member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, serving as a Eucharistic Minister, CCD teacher and served on several boards through the years. Irene enjoyed sewing and doing stained glass angels which she shared generously with friends and family. She enjoyed tending her gardens and found ironing to be relaxing and a time of meditation. She was seldom  found sitting idle. She enjoyed a good book and never turned down a game of cards. She spent many hours playing with her grandchildren and giving the parents much needed breaks. She is survived by her loving family. Her husband of nearly 67 years, Phillip; seven children Jim and Lorie Steffan, Sioux Falls, SD, Sue and Boyd LaFleur and Connie and Rod Heisler, all of Devils Lake, Tari and Marty Burkhart, Watertown, SD, Rodney and Karen Steffan, Greer, SC, Jerry and Tracy Steffan, Cave Creek, AZ and Colette Reardon, Hanover, MA; seventeen grandchildren; twenty great grandchildren; sister Marie Kurtz, Devils Lake; brother Bill Senger, Cleveland, OH and many nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents; daughters Virginia “Ginger” Jordan, Bonnie Steffan and Mary Steffan; brothers Joseph, Peter, Wendelin, Frank and Jerry Senger; sisters Judy Jorgensen, Veronica Schiff, Lena Freeman, Rose O’Grocko, Frances Daniels and Catherine Steffan. Mass of Christian Burial for Irene will be held on Tuesday, October 31, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake with the Very Reverend C.F. Wilhelm celebrating the Mass. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery.  Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Monday, October 30, 2017 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 7:00 p.m. The Rosary will be led by her nephew Gary Kurtz with Reverend Mr. Ken Severinson, Deacon officiating the Scripture Service.  Visitation on Tuesday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral Mass.  Irene’s grandsons, Nathan and Blake LaFleur, Shane and Chris Heisler, Kevin and Derrick Burkhart, Jacob Reardon and Brandan Steffan and Jace Steffan will serve as Pallbearers.  Reading the Scriptures will be John Maritato and Rod Heisler. Gift Bearers will be Irene’s granddaughters Michelle Pierce, Kyla Maritato, Alyssa Weber, Kristin Steffan, Brittin Callina, Kelsie Reardon, Emma Reardon and Raina Steffan.