Jeanne Marie Steffen, the daughter of Harvey and Hazel (Silverthorne) Rostat, was born January 2, 1931 on the family farm near Greenfield, IA and died August 12, 2014 at Stuart, IA at the age of 83 years, 7 months, and 10 days.


Jeanne attend Grand River Township #4 rural school through 8th grade and graduated from Greenfield High School in 1948.  Upon her graduation, she went to went to Iowa State College where she earned  her bachelor's degree in Home Economics in 1952. She taught for a year in Dallas Center before moving to Griswold in 1953. On June 20, 1954 she was united in marriage to Wayne Steffen. Jeanne continued to teach in Griswold until 1962.  They moved to Greenfield in 1973. Jeanne ran the congregate meal site for several years. While working towards her master's degree in special education from Northwest Missouri State, she began teaching at Greenfield in 1977. She taught
there until her retirement in 1993. Jeanne continued to live in Greenfield until a few years ago when she moved to Stuart.


Jeanne loved spending time with her grandchildren. She enjoyed traveling, cats, and horses. She had served as the National Auxiliary President of the 2nd Indian Head Division Association and was a member of the P.E.O. chapter in Greenfield.


Jeanne is preceded in death by her parents and her sister Dorothy Wirtz.


She is survived by her husband Wayne Steffen of Greenfield, IA; her children: Jon Steffen and wife Jodi of Creston, IA, Mark Steffen and partner Mike Paonessa of Chicago, IL, and Jayne Mazurkiewicz and husband Kevin of Henderson, NV; and her grandchildren: Tabitha, Zachary, Kyle, and Christopher. She is also survived by many other relatives and friends.


A 'Celebration of Life' for Jeanne will be held on Saturday, September 27 at the Andrews Memorial Room at the Adair County Health and Fitness Center,  202 NW Townline Road, in Greenfield from 1-4 PM.  Guests are asked to dress in Red, Jeanne's favorite color.  The Jeanne M. Steffen Memorial Fund has been established by the family for those that wish to contribute.  Donations can also be made to the National Alzheimer's Association at http://www.alz.org/join_the_cause_donate.asp .  Duhn Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.