Helen Steffenhagen

Helen Lena Steffenhagen, 92, of Red Wing, died Sunday, April 5, 2009, at St. Brigid's at Hi-Park in Red Wing, Minnesota where she had resided since September 11, 2001. She was born January 6, 1917 to Anton and Julia (Schmidt) Bechel and attended school in Plum City, Wisconsin. She married Merlin Jackson. She spent most of her life in Red Wing where she worked at the St. James Hotel and Hiawatha Grill. She also spent several years in Bay City, Ellsworth, and Tucson, Arizona. She married Alvin Steffenhagen in 1964. He died in August of 2000. She was a member of English Lutheran Church in Ellsworth. She enjoyed playing cards, embroidery, dancing, and cooking.

Survivors include one son, Nordien (Phyllis) Jackson of Tucson, Arizona; two grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, one step-daughter, Audrey (Glen) Diercks of Red Wing; one step-daughter-in-law, Barb Steffenhagen of Red Wing; nine step-grandchildren and several step-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Mildred Wood of Lake City and Bernetta (Dennis) Poore of Lake City; one brother, Robert (Janice) Bechel of Oregon, Illinois; one sister-in-law, Violet Bechel of Lake City, and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, Alvin; one son, Larry; one infant daughter; one sister, Wanda Carothers; six brothers, Lyle, Leonard, Alfred, Willard, James, and Robert Bechel, and one stepson, Burt Steffenhagen.

Memorial service will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 15, 2009, at English Lutheran Church in Ellsworth with Rev. Lauryl Stockness officiating. Burial will be in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Ellsworth. Memorials are preferred to the Chapel at St. Brigid's at Hi-Park or Fairview Red Wing Hospice. Funeral arrangements are by the Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel.