Memorial Services for 59-year old Mark Steffen of Hot Springs will be Thursday July 23rd at 2:30pm at the Mueller Civic Center in Hot Springs.
Bleachers will be provided; if you’d like to sit on the floor level, you must bring your own chair. Everyone is asked to please practice social distancing.
If you are unable to attend, Mark’s memorial service will be video recorded and posted on his obituary after services are concluded.
A memorial will be established in Mark’s name to the Southern Hills Pink Dart Leagues (Pink Ladies and Pink Coeds). All league fees and other money they raise is distributed to help local cancer patients.
In the beginning, the Pink League’s focus was helping breast cancer patients, but it later expanded to include all cancer patients. Mark was a recipient several times over and contributing to this cause would make him proud.
Mark Anthony Steffen was born in Faith, SD, to John and Patricia (Baseflug) Steffen to begin touching many lives May 10, 1961, and went home to be with his Lord on May 16, 2020. He passed away at his residence in Hot Springs with his family after a long and courageous battle with cancer.
As a child, Mark lived on several Indian reservations in North and South Dakota. His parents, both educators, chose their mission to do their educational careers in the Native American communities.
In 1972, Mark moved with his family to Hot Springs and graduated from Hot Springs High School in 1979, later attending college in Vermillion and Spearfish. Mark was married to his wife Brenda Lang January 4, 1986. To this union they were blessed with a son, Mark Anthony Steffen Jr on February 8, 1987.
During his early years Mark was a bartender at The Country Club, where he began to come out of his shell — having been a very quiet and shy guy. Later, he was a bartender at Yogi’s Den for several years. He also managed The Bar for a short time then began cutting meat at Dick and Mary’s Supermarket.
He then found the career he knew he was meant to do and began his electrical apprenticeship with local contractors to earn his journeyman’s license.
After earning his master electricians license, he began his own business Steffen Electric and later became the electrician for the State Veterans Home.
This was the position he expressed he liked the most as he loved “his residents” and they loved him! His career there was cut short, though, due to his fight with cancer.
Mark had many activities and hobbies. He was a crazy rockhunter and loved going out on the prairie hunting with friends and others he got hooked on rock hunting, too.
He was so proud of the Fairburn agates he had found. He bought, sold and traded many others on the internet and rock shows/swaps. He also had an eye for antiques, acquiring that from his Mom!
Mark was an avid pool player and placed in singles at the SD State Pool Tournament and twice help represent South Dakota in Las Vegas at the World Championship pool tournament. They did not place, but had a wonderful time!
He was a diehard Vikings football fan and in years past joined a softball league (pitcher), bowling league, and golf league (it would have definitely been “unSteffenly” not to golf!).
Mark did some fishing and liked it, but probably fished mostly to appease his wife, as he spent more time on the banks looking for rocks and fossils than fishing!
When he could, he volunteered at the State Veterans Home and the VA, helping with the VA’s golf program.
He enjoyed his dog Steffie and spent a lot of his time with her, walking with her and taking her along for rides. Brenda called Steffie “Mark’s best girl!” loving that four legged family member as much as he.
Mark loved to spend time with family and friends, always looking forward to the family reunions in western North Dakota. Mark was also a member of the Sons of the American Revolution.
Mark was always willing to lend a helping hand or whatever else he had to friends or others in need. He was the most amazing man anyone could have ever known – so kind, caring and full of love. It is not at all surprising, it was so easy to love him! Personality and sense of humor-where to start?
Mark was such a wonderful husband, father, brother, uncle and friend. When he met someone new, he met a new friend. He had an unwavering faith and attitude that carried him through the journey with his illness. Odds as they were presented to him never ever left him asking “why me”?
Mark is survived by his wife Brenda, son Mark Steffen Jr (Whitney), brothers John ‘Jack” Steffen (Susan) Phoenix, AZ, Theo Steffen (Micque) Grass Valley, CA, Michael Steffen, Hot Springs SD, Mathew Steffen (Kathy) Hot Springs, SD, Brother-in-law Jon Lang, Hot Springs, SD and several aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
Mark was receded in death by his parents John and Patricia Steffen.
He will be dearly missed and remain in our hearts forever. Peace be with us all, as it is only until we see him again!