Funeral services for 91-year old Shirley Steffe of Hot Springs, SD, formerly of Chadron, NE, and Piedmont, SD, are Monday, May 8, 2023, at 10:00 at Chamberlain McColley’s Funeral Home in Hot Springs, SD.
Burial will follow at 2:00 in the Marsland Cemetery in Marsland, NE.
A memorial has been established for Loneman School with donations being sent to: Chamberlain McColley’s Funeral Home, P.O. Box 812, Hot Springs, SD 57747.
Shirley G (Larsen) Steffe was born Feb. 7, 1932, on a farm in Primgar, IA, and passed away April 29, 2023, at Seven Sisters Nursing Home, Hot Springs.
Shirley spent her early years in rural O’Brien County, IA, until her family moved to a farm near Quimby, IA. She graduated from Quimby High School in 1950 after being very active in basketball and music.
After attending college at Iowa State University and Westmar College, Shirley attained her teaching certificate in 1952 and went on to teach many years in rural Dawes and Sheridan counties, NE, as well as on the Pine Ridge Reservation, SD.
Shirley married Dirl H Steffe Sr on June 26, 1953, in Quimby, IA, and the couple resided in Plymouth, IA, until moving to LeMars, IA, while Dirl finished his teaching degree.
They lived in Merrill, LeMars, and Vermillion, SD, before settling in Chadron, where they raised their family. Dirl taught at Chadron State College while Shirley was active in the CSC Faculty Wives group, serving as President. She was also a member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and in 1976 obtained her Bachelors Degree in Art and Education from CSC.
Upon Dirl’s retirement, they moved to their dream home in rural Piedmont and spent many happy years traveling the Southwest in their RV, visiting many places and making new friends.
Shirley continued to substitute teach and enjoyed many hobbies including playing bridge, painting, traveling, and bowling. In her later years, she enjoyed taking her grandkids to get treats and loved the color purple, Elvis, Willie Nelson, Taco Tuesday and Reese Peanut Butter Cups.
Shirley was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She also touched many lives as a great elementary teacher.
She is survived by her husband Dirl Steffe Sr of Hot Springs; children:Dirlene (Neil) Wheeler of Talent, OR; Dirl Jr.(Vicki) Steffe of Hot Springs; Dianne (Webb) Johnson of Crawford, NE, Denise (Bill) Atkinson of Huntington WV;grandchildren Haley, Angie, Amber, Molly, Kelsey, Ashley, Zach, Ariel and Sapphire; 16 great-grandchildren; her sister Joyce Steffe; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Shirley was preceded in death by her parents Chris and Sarah Larsen; granddaughter Myriah Jo Johnson; and sister Mildred Stevenson.
Many GOOD memories of the Steffe family having been a student if Dirl and teaching two of their children at CHS.
Darlene and family. Sorry to hear of your mother”s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Judie Larsen