Oliver Franklin Steffen

Oliver "Ollie" Franklin Steffen, age 81, Clark, died on Friday afternoon, January 14, 2005 in a Watertown hospital. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, January 18, 2005 at 1PM in the United Methodist Church at Clark with the Reverend Warren Rhodes officiating. Casketbearers will be Alan Yexley, Bob Linneman, Ronnie Rorvick, Randy Walton, Roger Murray and Wayne Orris. Honorary casketbearers will be friends, family and staff of the Beverly Health Care Center in Clark. Music will be presented by Marvine Obermeier and Wendy Christman. Burial will follow in the Rose Hill Cemetery at Clark. Visitation will be held on Monday from 5-7 PM at the Furness Funeral Home in Clark and 2 hours prior to services at the Church on Tuesday. He was born in Lac Qui Parle County, Minnesota on May 29, 1923, the son of Herman A. and Ducetta Lillian (Murray) Steffen. He attended rural school near Odessa, MN. On October 9, 1944 he was united in marriage to Billie G. Strain at Bellingham, MN. The couple lived and farmed near Bellingham. In addition to farming, he was co-owner of the Bellingham Shipping Association. He has also operated heavy equipment for many years and will be long remembered for the countless hours he spent removing snow from neighbors, close and far, driveways and yards. In 1954 the couple moved to Clark County, Section 22 in Thorp Township, southwest of Bradley. Even though they were living and farming in Clark County, he continued the farming operation in Minnesota until 1962. While farming, he also raised Red Angus cattle, sold Sokota Seed Corn and raised Belgians and award-winning Quarter horses. He won many awards in the late 1970's with his Quarter horses, among them being with a quarter horse he had raised from a colt, 'Delta Dawn O'Dell', who won a State award in the Hunt Seat Class. In the mid 1980's he retired from farming, moved to Watertown, but as the saying goes, 'You can take the boy off the farm, but you can't take the farm out of the boy'. He continued driving back to the farm daily until moving back to a farm north of Clark. Some of his fondest moments were spent helping his neighbors, spending time with a pair of horses 'Dick & Daisy', making artistic metal work, trapping, raising fox and bobcats, and second to none, his love of anything John Deere. He also did custom silage cutting for many in the area. In the 1960's he won an award from the conservation district for his tree plantings. Survivors who are grateful for having shared in his life is his wife of 60 years, Billie of Clark, children, Michael and wife Mary of Watertown, Stacey and wife Nancy of Garden City and Vicki and friend Randy of Pierre. He is also survived by 8 grandchildren, Susan, James, Sandra, Robert, Anna, Jenni, Matt and Mitch; 8 great-grandchildren, Tanner, Chelsea, Jerad, Hannah, Hudson Oliver, Hayse, Logan and Shelby, a brother, Clarence and wife Jean of Reseda, CA and a sister, Norma Jenson of Minnetonka, MN. Preceding him in death were his parents, a brother, Woodrow and two sisters, Muriel and Christy. Friends may sign the guest book at www.furnessfuneralhome.com.