Kathleen Steffen 04/29/2025

Kathleen V Gaffney Steffen passed away at age 88, on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at Red Cedar Canyon Senior Living in Hudson, Wisconsin.

Kathleen was born April 12, 1937, in Cumberland, Wisconsin, youngest daughter to James (Ed) and Lucille (Oldham) Gaffney and grew up in Turtle Lake, Wisconsin. She graduated from Turtle Lake High School in 1955. It was in high school where she met her husband, John Steffen. The couple was married on August 21, 1954, and resided in River Falls while John was attending UW-RF. In 1957, they moved to Austin, Minnesota, where they lived until 1978. They had three children, daughter Jamie and sons Mike and Tom. Kathleen was a proud homemaker, then worked at St. Olaf Hospital on the switchboard, later in accounting. They moved back to River Falls in December of 1978, where they resided until relocating to Hudson in 2023. While in River Falls, Kathleen worked at River Falls Medical Clinic, first at the front desk, then as a medical transcriptionist, until her retirement. After retirement, she was active with the River Falls Hospital Auxiliary and the River Falls Public Library Board. She also took classes at UW-River Falls for many years, just one or two per semester, focusing mostly on English literature, writing, and music, which she enjoyed. Kathleen and John travelled all around the country, but her favorite place was the North Shore, which she had visited at least annually from childhood until the last few years. She was an active member of the Episcopal Church, most recently as a member of the congregation of Ascension Episcopal Church in Stillwater, Minnesota.

Kathleen was a wonderful and enthusiastic member of many communities throughout her life. She will be missed dearly by both family and friends.

Kathleen is survived by her husband, John; 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.

She is preceded in death by her parents; and sister, Carol (Kenny) Tornio.

A memorial service for Kathleen was held on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 at 3:00PM at Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services (805 E Division St) in River Falls, Wisconsin.  A visitation with light refreshments started at 1:00PM.  Interment in Greenwood Cemetery  In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the River Falls Public Library or Ascension Episcopal Church, 214 3rd St North, Stillwater, Minnesota.

Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services.

Click here to watch the recording of Kathleen’s service.