Calvin "Cal" Steffen, 88, of Griswold, IA, died Sunday evening, April 29, 2012 at the Creighton University Medical Center in Omaha, NE.

Calvin Gail Steffen was born on a farm south of Cumberland, IA, on July 19, 1923, the son of William and Emma Louise (Schreiber) Steffen. He attended rural schools and started working on the farm. On January 8, 1946, he and Phyllis Elizabeth Cable exchanged marriage vows at the Lutheran parsonage in Griswold. They farmed around Griswold - first living southeast of town and then west of town and they retired in 1988. With his farming, he drove a stock and grain truck. In his retirement, Cal worked for Perdue Sanitation and Griswold Redi-mix. He and Phyllis moved to town in 1993 and then to the Griswold Assisted Living and Care Center in 2006. Cal attended the Griswold United Methodist Church, was a longtime member of the Griswold Lions Club and was a member of the Nishna Valley Recreation Area and enjoyed golfing with the "Wobblies." Cal liked to tell jokes and spend time with his grandkids and great-grandkids.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his son Larry Gail in 1948 and an infant son in 1963. Also preceding him in death were his brothers - Arlen Steffen, Donald Steffen and Max (wife Eulah) Steffen and his sisters Bernice (husband Art) Rodgers and Phyllis Jean Knuckles.

Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Phyllis of Griswold, his sons Randy (wife Connie) of Griswold and Garry (wife Monica) of Riverview, FL, 7 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are his sister-in-law Virginia Steffen of Griswold and his brother-in-law Bill Knuckles of Spokane, WA.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 4, 2012 at 10:30 AM at the Griswold United Methodist Church in Griswold. Burial will be in the Griswold Cemetery. Open visitation will be at the Duhn Funeral Home in Griswold where the family will be present from 6:30 to 7:30 Thursday evening.