Ruth M. Steffen

Ruth M. Steffen, 88, of Beaver Dam was called home by The Lord on Tuesday, July 30, 2024 after her fight with cancer.

Ruth was born on June 26, 1936 to John and Helen (Weiss) Grimm.  She was a graduate of Horicon High School and continued to keep in touch with her classmates over the years. Ruth married Darrel Steffen on June 1, 1957 at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church in Horicon. Ruth and her husband owned and operated Steffen’s Tap in Clyman for over eight years. She then worked many years for Aunt Nellies/Seneca in Clyman.  In 1969, they bought a farm outside of Reeseville.

Ruth was lovingly called “Annie Oakley” because she was an avid hunter. She liked to fish, garden, and spend time with family and friends. Ruth was an excellent ice skater. In her younger years, she even jumped chairs on the ice. Ruth was an avid NASCAR fan.  She went to several races and kept complete stats for every race. She did not like to be interrupted during a race.

Ruth was her daughter’s best friend for nearly 65 years. As mother became daughter and daughter became mother they adjusted to the switch.

Ruth is survived by her daughter Shirley Rhode (Walter Desjarlais) of Juneau; daughter-in-law Therese (Teri) Steffen of Clam Lake; grandchildren: Brian Steffen (Shannon) of Mosinee, Joseph Steffen of Clam Lake, April Rhode (Derrick Kubicki) of Watertown, Claire Haller of Hatley, and Amy Rhode (Jonny Ramsey) of Garner, NC; her sister Marian Miller of Cambia; nine great grandchildren; great-great grandchildren; special nieces and nephews of West Bend, Fond du Lac, and Cambria.

She was preceded in death by her husband Darrel Steffen (2001); parents: John and Helen Grimm (1972 and 1967); daughter-in-law Nila Steffen (1998); grandson James Steffen (2007); sister Dorothy Scheberl (2020); niece Judith Schultz (2000); and most recently her son Timothy “Tim” Steffen (Oct. 2023).

A visitation will be held at the Koepsell-Murray Funeral Home in Beaver Dam on Friday, August 9, 2024 from 12 p.m. until the time of the funeral service at 1 p.m. Interment will take place at Oak Hill Cemetery in Horicon.