Joe N. Steffek, 91 of Hallettsville, went to be with the Lord on July 2, 2010. He was born December 5, 1918 to Joe R. and Emilie Steffek. On January 14, 1941, he married the love of his life, Magdalene Haas Steffek. He was a member of KJT and Sacred Heart Catholic Church. He was a farmer and rancher. As a young man, Joe worked at the tomato shed where he first saw his future bride, Magdalene Haas Steffek. They were married on January 14, 1941, residing in Yoakum while he was employed at Morrow's Machine Shop. Materials being scarce during the war, the following year, he moved his family to Witting to farm, ranch, and work at a dairy. In the late 1960s, he stopped row cropping to concentrate on his cattle and custom hay baling business. Joe continued to ranch, sitting in his rocking chair watching the cattle graze and purple martins glide, until the Lord called him home. In his younger years, he loved coon hunting, deer hunting, fishing, and dancing with his wife to polka music. Amazingly, after long hours of hard work, he would come home stating "Mama lets go to the polka dance."

Possessing a strong work ethic and important values, Joe exemplified honesty, fairness, faith, and family. Making sure that he gave more than he received, the children remember him making the customer's bales of hay a little heavier and adding a few extra ears of corn to the landlord's load. Highly skilled and organized, his farm equipment was always in excellent condition. His relationship with his wife, Magdalene, was based on commitment, love, and devotion. His belief "we were married as a husband and wife and we should always do things together" is how they lived their life. Regardless if it was attending church, checking cattle, visiting the doctor, buying groceries, retiring for the night, or relaxing in the living room, they were always together. Together, they created glue that has bonded a family, 165 members strong, for life.

Guided by the most important cornerstone of his life, faith, Joe began serving the Lord as young boy, altar serving and riding a donkey each morning to church to make sure the everlasting light was burning. He instilled this strong foundation of faith in his family. Loving the rosary, he often stated, "The rosary is the most important prayer". Understandably, he left in peace shortly after listening to family members recite his favorite prayer.

To cherish his memories, he leaves behind a loving wife of 69 years, Magdalene Steffek, eleven children and spouses: Beatrice Welfl and Bobby, Elrose Migl and Frank, Dorothy Henke & Leo, Joseph Steffek & Gladys, David Steffek, Daniel Steffek & Shirley, Mary Sklar and Leonard, Patrick Steffek and Carol, Magdalene Pustka and Bob, Frances Bock and John, Monica Barnes and Claude, 41 grandchildren, 67 great-grandchildren, and a brother, Raymond Ben Steffek.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joe R. & Emilie Sitka Steffek; sisters, Helen and Margaret Steffek; brother, Jerome Steffek; and daughter-in-law, Patricia Steffek.

The family is grateful for the excellent care provided by Dr. Tim Wagner, Minnie Delgado, and the Yoakum Community Hospital staff.

Memories of Our Beloved Father, Grandfather, & Great-Grandfather

Ok, look around you right now. And you see the evidence of how unique & special two people can be. So now, look in the front row. See that beautiful lady there. That's Grandma Steffek. Grandpa was the main trunk of this tree you see." But Grandma Steffek was the one who nourished and watered that tree. They were a unit. And as it says in the bible, "two become one" that is exactly how they lived their life. Let's share how their story began. As a young man, Grandpa worked at the tomato shed where he first saw his future bride, Grandma. They were married on January 14, 1941. Which if you calculate is 69 years! 69 years of great memories and a faith filled marriage with many blessing.

If there was an award for the hardest worker, Grandpa would have won. He was an expert in cattle ranching and farming. As a matter of fact, most of the knowledge the sons and grandsons learned about farming, ranching, and equipment came from him. He knew each individual cow and kept his cattle records in perfect form. He was very particular about his farming equipment and his shop was always neat and organized. If you made a mistake, you'd be certain not to make the same mistake twice. Grandpa's children had to start working at a very young age. They can remember working in the cotton field. They recall the older children picking cotton with grandma and grandpa, while the younger ones laid on a tarp under the cotton trailer. With more girls than boys, Grandpa's girls had to work just like a boys. Many of them remember disguising themselves, putting their hair up under their cap, hoping to look like a boy as they drove the tractor through town. Not only did his children work for him, but also his future son-in-laws helped out as well, hauling the very heavy bales of hay in order to spend time with the Steffek girls. Grandsons also did their fair share of work. While they were working in the fields, the granddaughters would make lunch with grandma and take it out to Grandpa and the boys and have lunch in the back of the truck.

But, grandpa was not a man of all work, he liked to play and he loved to joke. In his younger days, he would go coon hunting. His brother, Ben, and Grandpa's sons remember how Grandpa was never afraid to crawl up the tallest tree to shake the coons out so the dogs could get them. Even the girls can remember getting the flashlight and lanterns out to go on a coon hunt. Not only did he enjoy coon hunting, he loved deer hunting, fishing, and polka dancing. In his later years he was an avid fan of the Dallas Cowboys. If you showed up to his house during one of the games, you needed to be prepared to enjoy a football game. And let it be known, that it is ironic that he became a football fan seeing he did not allow his sons to play football. He always feared that they would get hurt and break a leg. One son decided to play anyways and during the first quarter of his first football game, he broke his leg. As you can tell, Grandpa's intuitions were usually right.

Grandpa's work ethic and leisure activities aren't the only things that defined him. He was generous and giving. Grandpa could love, and he loved big. This is obvious seeing how many people him and grandma created. Grandpa never met a stranger. He was always welcoming visitors into his home and took the time to listen to their story. When visitors arrived, he would often say, "Mommie, you have something to eat for them?" Then when leaving he would say, "Mommie, give them a package of meat." His generosity did not stop there. Many of the grandkids and great-grandkids loved visiting Grandpa and Grandma. They always knew Grandpa would share his stash of candy. Even though there are 41 grandchildren and 67 great-grandchildren, Grandpa knew how to make each person feel unique and special. He often greeted each of his granddaughters with, "Baby, you sure are getting pretty!" or his grandsons with "Sonny, where's your girlfriend?" Speaking of bringing a girlfriend or boyfriend over, I think I speak on behalf of my cousins, that you definitely had to warn your boyfriend or girlfriend about meeting Grandpa Steffek. He was sure to ask about their background and to whom they were related. It was important to get Grandpa and Grandma's approval when it came to dating and marriage.

Grandpa was strict, but he loved to joke around. Even in his 80's he still had fun with his grandchildren. A funny memory involved a grandson showing off his new cool karate moves. Thinking he was cool, Grandpa stood up in the kitchen and started showing off his own karate moves.

Grandpa was also known for his snuff can. But it was used for more than dipping. Many grandkids remember it being Grandpa's home remedy of treating a yellow jacket sting saying, "Sonny, come here, let me put some snuff on that!"

He was very proud of his grandchildren and would often say, "I raised some good-looking grandchildren." Christmas was always a special time. Before opening gifts, we would gather around Grandpa and Grandma to sing Christmas carols. This was always a special moment for Grandpa and Grandma. As he glowed with pride, he would smile at Grandma and say, "Honey, look what we created."

But more than any of those things, the most important was his faith. I truly believe that Grandpa took the gifts God provided him and used them to love people and love the Lord.

His relationship with his wife was a prime example of this love. They were always together rather it be attending church, checking cows, visiting the doctor, buying groceries, polka dancing, relaxing in the living room, or praying the rosary together at night before bed.

Because of the great unity he had with his wife, he wanted to bestow this blessing onto his children. Before each child was to be married, he gave them a special blessing at home. Many of the children continue this tradition with their daughters and sons today.

Grandpa had an amazing memory, recalling tiny details. A great storyteller, it was not uncommon to listen for over an hour on "How the world used to be". He would say, "It is not the same world it was back then." He still had this amazing mind up to the moment he left us. Even this past week as we prayed together for a peaceful passing, he was comical and coherent.

Grandpa was a miracle of medicine and a fighter. At the age 62, he lost ¾ of his heart due to a major heart attack and the prognosis wasn't good. Since then, he went through many surgeries and numerous hospital stays, but he always bounced back. Fortunately, through tender loving care and many prayers, along with the expert care of Dr. Tim Wagner, we were graced with his presence longer than any of us expected. We thank the Lord for granting us these wonderful years with Grandpa.

We love him. We miss him.

But you can hear him when you talk to one of his children. You can see him when you look at any of us grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

You feel him when you're in the presence of Grandma.

But you will always find him in the hearts of the ones who loved him.

Written with love, Robin Barnes, Rachel Hanslik, Amber Barnes, & Lindsey Steffek

Funeral Mass Service: 11:30 am, Monday, July 5, 2010, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Visitation: 2 pm, Sunday at Kubena Funeral Home. Rosaries: 7 pm, Sunday at Kubena Funeral Home; and 11 am, Monday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Officiate: Rev. John Peters. Pallbearers are grandsons: Michael Welfl, Frank J. Migl, Leo J. Henke, Dennis Steffek, David Steffek, Jr., Ronnie Steffek, Jeffrey Steffek, Paul Sklar, Darren Steffek, Rodney Pustka, Scott Pustka, Charlie Bock, and Jared Barnes. Burial: Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery. Memorials: Sacred Heart Catholic Church, School, or Religious Education, P. O. Drawer H, Hallettsville, TX 77964 or donor's choice.

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