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John Albert Steffen passed away at age 89 on Friday, July 4, 2025, at Red Cedar Canyon Senior Living in Hudson, Wisconsin.
John was born on March 2, 1936, at home in Bear Lake Township in rural Barron County, Wisconsin. He was the middle child of William Steffen and Goldie (Cox) Steffen and grew up in and around Almena and Turtle Lake, Wisconsin. He graduated from Turtle Lake High School in 1953. It was in high school where he met his wife, Kathleen (Gaffney) and they were married in 1954. John attended UW-River Falls where he was awarded 11 letters in football, basketball and baseball and was named to the All-Conference football team in 1955. In 1956, he was voted the Most Valuable Football Player at the University. His senior year, he was one of the team’s captains. In 1977, he was one of the first inductees to the UW-RF Athletic Hall of Fame. He graduated in 1957 with a degree in Education. John was invited to training camp to try out for the New York Giants, The Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Green Bay Packers. At that time, players were not paid to attend training camp, nor were they guaranteed a spot on the team, so John opted instead for a teaching job in Austin, Minnesota. He and Kathleen moved to Austin, where they lived until 1978 and raised three children, daughter Jamie, and sons Mike and Tom. In addition to teaching social studies, John was also an assistant coach for the Austin high school football team, along with the high school girls softball team. A desire to return to Wisconsin prompted John to leave teaching and coaching behind in 1978, when the family moved to River Falls, where John began a new career as a State Farm Agent, first in River Falls, then in Oakdale, Minnesota. He retired at age 70 in 2006.
Throughout his life, John enjoyed traveling (especially to nearby lakes and the North Shore of Lake Superior), fishing, golf, softball, and playing cards. He continued to play cribbage with fellow residents and staff at Red Cedar Canyon until his death. During retirement, he also volunteered at the River Falls Public Library.
John was an active member of the Episcopal Church in Austin, River Falls, and finally at Ascension Church in Stillwater, Minnesota. He was a cancer survivor multiple times and was active with the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life for several years, including being chosen Cancer Survivor Honorary Chairperson in 2016. Most recently, he took care of Kathleen after she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. The couple finally moved into memory care at Red Cedar Canyon in Hudson in 2023.
John had a positive impact on many people’s lives throughout his life. He will be dearly missed by both family and friends.
John is survived by his children, Jamie (Patrick) Kleiner, Michael (Pam) Steffen, Thomas Steffen; grandchildren, Kourtney (Galen), Jake (Nicole), Sami (Megan), Charlie, Jason (Andrea), Jessica (Hilary), Benjamin (Gabrielle), Kylie (Cody); and great grandchildren, Gavin, Logan, Rylynn, Emmitt, Miles, Alexys, Elyse, Jonathan, Teagen; and siblings, Melvin Steffen and Larry (Karen) Steffen.
John is preceded in death by his wife, Kathleen; parents, William and Goldie; and sisters, Donna (Lee) Elliott and Gloria Thill and sister-in-law, Alvina Steffen.
A memorial service for John was held on Monday, July 21, 2025 at 3:00PM at Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services (805 E Division St) in River Falls, Wisconsin. A visitation with light refreshments will started at 1:00PM. Interment in Greenwood Cemetery immediately follow the service. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to Ascension Church in Stillwater or The American Cancer Society Pierce County
Arrangements with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services.
7 Comments
John was a great guy and a good friend since high-school
He had a lot of health issues the past few years, but I never heard him complain once. Rest in peace John.
This is NOT John M Steffen from Glenwood City. People are getting confused. My husband John, is alive and doing well.
Hi Tom-
I have such wonderful
memories of your dad when I played on the St. B’s softball team. We had so much fun! We laughed so much! I’m sorry to hear your dad passed. He was a great guy.
My family and I have enjoyed visiting with John since our father moved into RCC. He will be missed.
Rest in peace, John
The Dieltz Family
I’m so sorry to hear, your parents helped us out in band days, I know you have many good memories Tom. Please script my condolences. I hope to speak with you as one time soon.
Mr. Steffen was a friend of my father, was a teacher of mine in middle school, and was one of my high school football coaches. He was a very good and humble man. Rest in peace John Steffen.
John and I became friends at Ascension and began to play golf together at River Falls GC and Glen Carney. John was a great competitor and regularly prevailed even though I was 14 years his junior. I will miss you John.
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