Mary E. Steffek

Mary E. Steffek, 80, Denmark, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, April 3, 2012. She was born in Green Bay on October 6, 1931, daughter of the late Tony and Betty (Jaeger) Maurer. Mary was a 1949 graduate of Denmark High School. She also graduated from the Holy Family School of Nursing, Manitowoc, in 1952. Mary received her national certification as a Physician’s Assistant in 1975. Mary married her high school sweetheart, Rodney J. “Rod” Steffek on June 27, 1953 at All Saints Catholic Church, Denmark. Rod passed away last year on August 26, 2011. She was employed for 35 years at the Denmark Clinic, as a Registered Nurse and then as a Physician Assistant. Mary was a member of All Saints Catholic Church, Denmark, and was a long time member of the Altar Society. She was also member of the Denmark American Legion Post Auxiliary and the Denmark Bells Red Hat Society. In 1992, Mary was honored by the Denmark Community Business Association as the Citizen of the Year. Mary and Rod were proud that they had traveled to all 48 contiguous states in their motor home. They enjoyed camping with the five boys through the sixties. A highlight every year was their annual trip with the gang from Denmark to Lake Gogebic. Mary and Rod had a winter home in Mercedes, Texas, and would return to Denmark to be with family during the holidays. She was an avid reader, especially Civil War history. She loved tending her flower gardens, and cooking and baking, and greatly enjoyed sharing her flowers and her food and baked goods with family, friends, and church family. Surviving are five sons: Jim Lorrie (Krueger), Denmark; Steve Mardell (Kapinos), Green Bay; Tom Patty (Taylor Watry), Townsend; John Theresa (Winiecki), Denmark; and Robert Timothy Richison, Dayton, OH: grandchildren: Brian Steffek, Becky Steffek, Jeff Steffek, Jayne (Troy) Vosters, Tony (Missy) Steffek, Molly (Matt) Warpinski, Captain Craig (Lyndsey) Steffek, USAF; Timothy (Amanda) Steffek, and Elizabeth (Josh) Nett; step-grandchildren: Will (Ericka) Watry and Charles Watry; great-grandchildren: Abigail, Melanie, and Trevor Vosters; Joseph Steffek; Claire and Steven Warpinski; Madison, Kyleigh and Annabel Steffek; and Cody Steffek; and step great-grandchildren: Orion and Zoe Watry. She is further survived by a sister, Carol Piontek; sister-in-law and husband, Sue Bob Siewert. Mary is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Rod; father-in-law and mother-in-law: Joe and Bea (Kellner) Steffek; brother-in-law, Ray Piontek; sister-in-law and husband, Diane Lloyd Troullier. Relatives and friends may call at Knutson-Cotter Funeral Home, 536 County Rd R, Denmark, on Friday, April 6, 2012 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with the parish prayer service at 7:30 p.m. Visitation will continue on Saturday, April 7th, at All Saints Catholic Church, Denmark, from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. The Funeral Liturgy will be conducted at the church on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Ron Colombo officiating. Interment will follow in All Saints Catholic Cemetery. Online condolences may be expressed at www.cotterfuneralhome.com. “Mom and Dad, enjoy your journey together.”