Vernon L. Steffenhagen

Vernon Lloyd Steffenhagen, 69, of Red Wing, died Wednesday, November 19, 2008 at his home. He was born January 2, 1939 in Red Wing to Emil and Frances (Thimijan) Steffenhagen. He grew up in Frontenac and attended high school in Lake City. He married Diane Moorhouse on January 16, 1960 in Frontenac and they lived in Red Wing. He worked at LaGrange Shoe Company and then started with Red Wing Shoe in August of 1959. In 1965, he served as the local AFL-CIO union president. He and Diane later divorced. On July 5, 1997 he married Carmen Wiberg. He retired from the Shoe Company in 2000 after 40 years of employment. He was appointed to the Red Wing Advisory Planning Commission and also served as the Mayor of Red Wing for one term. He was instrumental in starting the local Toys for Tots program and was also involved in fundraising for the Red Wing Vo-Tech and the Red Wing Fire Department. He was also retired from the National Guard Army after 28 years of service. He enjoyed fishing, and spear fishing, traveling--especially driving cross-country, camping and gardening.

He is survived by his wife, Carmen of Red Wing; 2 daughters, Lorrie Cutsforth of Colfax, WI. and Tracie Steffenhagen of Lakeland, MN; 8 step-children, Alisha Chapman of Red Wing, Troy Yotter of Pine Island, Brenda (Drew) Claussen of Eau Claire, WI, Craig Heath of Red Wing, Leo (Angie) Heath of Loyal, WI, Carla (Craig) Tinsman of Brandon, SD, Curt Heath of Ft. Lauderdale, FL and Roger (Nicole) Heath of Hudson, WI; 4 grandchildren; 11 step-grandchildren and 2 brothers, LeRoy (Glennis) Steffenhagen of Oconto, WI and Robert Steffenhagen of Farmington, MN.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, Deborah Burch; sister, Marlys McRoberts and his past fiancée, Eloise Heath.

Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel. Burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Craig, Leo, Curt and Roger Heath, Troy Yotter and Michael Shelberg. Honorary pallbearers will be Duane, Jay and Wade Wiberg and Duane Moorhouse. Visitation will be 5-8 p.m. Friday at the Funeral Home and for one hour prior to the service on Saturday.