Charles Louis Steffen

Charles Louis Steffen was born June 6, 1930 in Paradise Township, IA the son of Arnold and Hattie Pearl (Larson) Steffen. He passed away on Tuesday, May 25, 2021 at Southwest Memorial Hospital in Cortez, CO at the age of 90.
Surviving Charles are his spouse, Joy Steffen of Cortez, CO; his children, Shannon Elise Steffen of Denver, CO, Heather Marie Halpape of Denver, CO, and Dustin Blake Dalman (Bernadette) of Cortez, CO; his sister, Delores Steffen Greene of NE; five grandchildren; and two great grandchildren. Charles was preceded in death by his parents; and his siblings, Victor Steffen, Earl Steffen, and Carroll Steffen.

My Life Journey – By Charles Steffen

I was born June 6, 1930 in Wester, Iowa in a farm house in Paradise Township, Crawford County.
It was sure nice to be born in Paradise although I don’t think I realized it. My brother heard this cry in the middle of the night and that was me.
The 1930’s were drought years in Iowa. We moved two miles up Dane Ridge Road to Willow Township. I remember riding my pony in a pit silo to pack the silage.
We now were close to a county school and a country church known as the Mullen School and the Mullen Church. I remember my Sunday School teacher, my cousin Helen Wiess. We had a “Children’s Day” program each year, and guess what, a potluck picnic afterwards. Eventually the school and church had to close – not enough money. We then went to the Methodist Church in Charter Oak, Iowa.
My Dad was a share cropper and always wanted to own a farm of his own, so he bought a farm and moved onto it in March of 1944, In December of 1944 Dad decided to have surgery for chronic appendicitis. On the operating table he developed peritonitis and died. That was a sad experience for a 14 year old boy.
I worked on that farm for 17 years for my mother and brother. My mother passed away in 1962. We sold the farm. I worked as a farmhand.
In 1965 I had a chance to buy into a small camper factory in Kansas, which should not have been successful, but with struggle and faith it did succeed.
I retired and moved to Colorado in 1987. Divorce happened.
Then I met Joy and lived happily ever after. I survived two heart attacks and cancer surgery.
God was with me every step of my journey. I owe everything to him. That’s why I am happy to give. I am excited about the cross Jesus died on. The cross is a symbol that we should die to ourselves and give and serve others.
I don’t believe we draw closer to God by legalistic religion, but by loving relationships, and sharing a portion of what we have. I just know I need to give as God has given to me.
~ Charles Steffen