Luverne Steffes, age 90, of Roselle, passed away on Friday, March 10, 2023 at his home surrounded by his family.
Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 14, 2023 at Holy Angels Church in Roselle. The celebrant will be Fr. Timothy Schott. Con-Celebrant will be Fr. Terry Roder. Music will be by the Holy Angels Choir. Lector will be Mike Nieland. Gift Bearers will be Lyndsie Steffes and Alejandra Steffes. Casket Bearers will be Nick Nieland, Andy Nieland, Juan Steffes, Max Steffes, Adam Denker, and Mike Foral. Burial will be in the parish cemetery with military honors conducted by the Arcadia American Legion.
Visitation will be held from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Monday at the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll. A Carroll Knights of Columbus Rosary will be prayed at 5:30 p.m. The casket will be moved to Holy Angels Church in Roselle on Tuesday morning where visitation will resume from 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.
Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll, and online condolences may be left for Luverne’s family at www.sharpfuneral.com.
Luverne, the son of John and Anna (Halbur) Steffes was born on August 9, 1932, and gained his angel wings after a battle with cancer. He was a loving brother, son, husband, father and grandfather. He kept his humor until the end.
Luverne grew up near Roselle, attended Holy Angels School, and later completed his G.E.D. After his formal education he worked on the family farm. Luverne served in the United States Army where he worked with radar and later Project Nike Guided Missiles. Upon his honorable discharge he returned to Roselle and farmed. Luverne married the love of his life, Barbara Shehan, at Holy Angels Church in Roselle; they had 8 children with their first passing in infancy.
Luverne organically farmed for many years up until 2020, and earned the distinction of it being a Century Farm. He was a member of the Organic Crop Improvement Association for over 30 years. He was a member of the Farm Bureau, Knights of Columbus and Holy Angels Church where he sang in the choir and was a Eucharistic Minister. He enjoyed singing and visiting with family, friends, and neighbors.
Luverne is survived by his significant other, Janet Sondgeroth, his 7 children: Brenda (Mike) Nieland, Paul (Ronette) Steffes, Mike Steffes, Ken (DeAnne) Steffes, Pat Steffes, Kathy Steffes, and Christie Steffes. 11 grandchildren: Nick Nieland, Andy (Amy) Nieland, Melissa Nieland, Jenna (Mike) Foral, Kayla Steffes, Lyndsie Steffes, Danielle Steffes, Max Steffes, Calista Steffes, Juan Steffes, Alejandra Steffes; 3 great-grandchildren: Landon, Everett, and Cameron Foral; his siblings: Sister Marcella Steffes, Roman (Arlene) Steffes, Lorraine Vogl, Norma Gosch, Robert (Rache) Steffes, Arlene (Melvin) Meier, Marian Pickhinke, and Carol (Don) Mader; sisters-in-law: Margueritte Malone, Nancy Hull, Marjorie Napier, Rita Roberts; brothers-in-law: Joe Shehan and Ernie Shehan; as well as many extended relatives and friends.
Luverne was preceded in death by his wife Barbara Steffes, son Paul Steffes, in infancy; parents: John and Anna Steffes; sister Doris (Frank) Mader; sister-in-law: Kathleen (Jim) Quintus; brothers-in-law: Joe Vogl and Fred Gosch.
