Oscar Steffen

Oscar W. Steffen age 91 of Walnut Grove passed away on Friday, June19, 2009 at the Valley View Manor in Lamberton after a brief illness.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday at Trinity Lutheran Church with interment in the Walnut Grove Cemetery.

Visitation will be held 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Monday at the Walnut Grove Funeral Home and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Tuesday. Email condolences may be sent to the family via www.walnutgrovefuneralhome.com. The Walnut Grove Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Oscar W. Steffen was born September 4, 1917 on the family farm in Granite Rock Township, Redwood County, MN to Henry and Anna (Rinderman) Steffen. He was baptized and confirmed at Johnsonville Lutheran Church of rural Lucan. He attended country school district 58 near Lucan, and later attended Dunwoody Institute for 2 years. Oscar worked for the Redwood County REA for a couple years. On June 27, 1941, Oscar entered the US Army. During WWII, Oscar served in Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes and in Central Europe where he worked as a truck driver for heavy equipment. He received his honorable discharge October 6, 1945. After the war, Oscar returned home. On June 19, 1948, Oscar was united in marriage to Lorraine Kopperud at Old Westbrook Lutheran Church. Together the couple lived in their home in Walnut Grove that they built in 1948. Oscar resided there ever since. Oscar and his brother Emil started working as electricians in the Walnut Grove Area in 1939. The business continues to operate in the family 70 years later. Oscar was very active in his church where he sang in the choir, and served on the church council. He enjoyed gardening, reading, wood working and working on new ideas and inventions.

Oscar is survived by his sons: Leland and wife Pam and Errol Steffen both of Walnut Grove; grandchildren: Dustin (Jessie) Van De Wiele of Walnut Grove & Nicole (James) Marsh of Walnut Grove; great grandchildren: Dylan & Garrett, and Cole, Porter & Leah; brother Louis (Cora) Steffen of Alpine, CA; and numerous other relatives and friends. Preceding him in death are his parents, wife Lorraine; five brothers: Emil, Alfred, Albert, George and Otto and a sister Emma.