Walter E. Steffenson

Funeral services for Walter Steffenson, 89 of Rochester, MN will be at 11:00am on Wednesday, June 27, 2012 at Bethel Lutheran Church with the Rev. Anjanette Bandel officiating.Burial will be at 3:30pm at Oakland Cemetery in Waukon, IA.Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00pm on Tuesday, June 26, 2012 at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes and also one hour prior to the service at the church. Walter Everett Steffenson was born on June 1, 1923 in Waukon, IA to Selmer Steffenson and Katherine Grove Johnson.He died on June 23, 2012 at his home. Walter attended rural school in Waukon, IA .He was a veteran of WW II in the South Pacific as a member of the 3rd ArmoredAmphibious Tank Battalion of the 1st Marine Division.He served in Peleliu, Palau Islandsand in Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands.Walter married Betty Kosbau in 1947 and they were later divorced.He married Elva Sorenson Mouw in 1968. Walter farmed and later worked as a heavy equipment operator in Minnesota.He was an avid fisherman and hunter.He enjoyed genealogy and loved to travel,including numerous trips to Norway. Walter was a member of Bethel Lutheran Church and a life member of the AmericanLegion, VFW and Eagles Club in Rochester, MN.He was proud of his Norwegian heritage and was also a member ofKristiania Lodge #47 Sons of Norway and several Norwegian-American Lags. Survivors include his wife, Elva Steffenson of Rochester, MN, his son, Gregory (Jean) Steffenson of Onamia, MN; his daughter, Renell Steffenson (Greg Walker) of Buffalo, MN and his step-daughter, Susan (Donald) Rogen of Cedar Rapids, IA; 3 grandsons and 1 granddaughter in Onamia, MN:Nathan, Matthew, Christopher and Mia Steffenson; 2 step-granddaughters, Cathy (Jason) Rogen-Mahan and Barbara Rogen of Cedar Rapids, IA and 2 great grandchildren:Nichole and Hayley Mahan of Cedar Rapids, IA.He was preceded in death by his parents, his step-son, Dean Mouw, 1 brother Melvin Steffenson and 2 sisters, Marlys Martinson and Alice Stone. Memorials can be directed to:Bethel Lutheran Church, Seasons Hospice or Rochester Methodist Hospital Dialysis Unit.