Gene Steffes, 80, of Bristol died Friday March 15, 2013, at Sun Dial Manor in Bristol.
Mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday March 20, 2013, at Christ the King Catholic Church in Webster, Fr. David Axtmann will officiate. Spring burial will be in the Bristol Cemetery.
Visitation will be Tuesday from 2 to 4 p.m. at Fiksdal Funeral Service and continue at the church with a 7 p.m. rosary.
Gene Albert Steffes was born on Sept. 17, 1932, to Albert and Margurita "Rita" (Machmiller) Steffes at Aberdeen, South Dakota. He was baptized and confirmed into the Catholic faith. Gene attended all twelve years of his education at the Bristol School, graduating in 1950. In March of 1953, Gene was drafted into the military. He served stateside during the Korean Conflict and was a member of the Military Police. After his honorable discharge, Gene started his gravel construction business to which he built and repaired many township roads as well as private roads in the area.
November 17, 1958, he married Joan Morehouse. The couple made their home near Bristol. Together the couple worked for their gravel business for many years until ill health forced Gene into retirement in 2004. In 2010, Gene entered Sun Dial Manor and resided there until his passing.
Gene was a member of the American Legion and Dakota Territory Gun Collector Association. He loved the outdoors and especially enjoyed prairie dog hunting west river and fishing in Canada.
Gene passed away Friday March 15, 2013, at Bristol, South Dakota at the age of 80 years, five months, and 26 days.
He is survived by his wife, Joan; two brothers: Craig (Diane) Steffes and Keith Steffes all of Bristol, S.D.; one niece, Alexia (Jason) Schuldt of Spearfish, S.D.; and three nephews: Jared (Jennifer) Steffes of Spearfish, S.D., Matthew (Kelli) Steffes of Tea, S.D. and Adam (Adrienne) Steffes of Sahuarita, Ariz.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters-in-law: LeaEtta Steffes and Beveryly Bonn; and one brother-in-law, Lowell Morehouse.