Donald B. "Don" Steffen, 87, of Griswold, IA, died Tuesday morning, October 21, 2008, at the Griswold Care Center in Griswold where he had been a resident since June 5th.

Donald Bill Steffen was born in Noble Township, rural Griswold on February 1, 1921, the son of William and Emma Louise (Schreiber) Steffen. He attended rural schools in Bear Grove Township and after his formal schooling helped his family with the farming until entering the Army Air Corps on February 6, 1946. He served in Japan as part of the occupation forces and was discharged at Camp Beale, CA, in 1947. On his return, he worked for a short time at Baker Ice Machine Co. in Omaha.

On February 16, 1948, he married Virginia Muller in Clarinda, IA, and returned to farming east of Griswold. In 1978 they moved into Griswold. Don was a member of Griswold American Legion Post #508.

Don loved farming but he also enjoyed other things as well. In his younger days, he was a licensed pilot for small aircraft. During the 50's, Don owned and operated a stock and grain truck and for many years enjoyed being a relief driver for several area trucking companies. In his later years, Don enjoyed finding a warmer climate than the Iowa winters had.

Survivors include his wife Virginia of Griswold, his son Doug and his friend Martha Jo of Griswold, and his daughter Barb Adams and her husband Ron of Elliott, IA. Don's five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren include Matt Steffen of Grafenwoehr, Germany; Steven Steffen of Omaha; Cpl. Dustin Steffen of Beaufort, South Carolina; Melissa Vanderhoof of Audubon, IA, and her children Daylan Kleen and Macy Vanderhoof; and Brandon Adams and his wife Jana and their daughters Abbi and Brooke of Elliott. Also surviving are his brother Cal and his wife Phyllis of Griswold, his sister-in-law Eulah Steffen of Clarinda, and his brothers-in-law, Bill Knuckles of Spokane, WA and Art Rogers of Omaha.

His parents, a brother Arlen in infancy, his sisters Phyllis Knuckles and Bernice Jones Rodgers, his brother Max, his brother-in-law William Jones, and a grandchild at birth preceded Don in death.

Funeral services will be Friday, October 24, 2008, at 1:30 PM at the Duhn Funeral Home in Griswold, Pastor Celeste Waymire of St. John's United Church of Christ at Lyman officiating. Burial will be in the St. John's Cemetery south of Lyman with Military Honors. Open visitation will be at the Duhn Funeral Home; however, the family will not be present at any specific time.