Johnnie Joe Steffek, 86, of Hallettsville, passed away Sunday, July 4, 2021.  He was born January 18, 1935, to Anton J and Antonia Pavliska Steffek Sr.  He met the love of his life, Alene Fojt, at Percy Reese Café while working at the Hallettsville Auction Barn.  They were married on November 7, 1956, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Hallettsville.  Together, they had 5 sons and a daughter in Hallettsville, Texas.

Johnnie worked at Brown and Root during the construction of the Provident City Gas Plant and then transitioned to farming and ranching in Ezzell, Texas.  Many bales of hay were made and hauled with his boys along with tens of thousands of pounds of pecans harvested over the years.  He was an avid fisherman and hunter in his younger years - especially loved underbanking, and hunting deer, squirrels and coons with his dogs, Red and Bell. Johnnie and Alene spent many afternoons and evenings dancing to his favorite polka band – The Vrazels.  When they weren't dancing, they enjoyed many evenings playing cards – "Stick" - with the neighbors.  He volunteered at various Knights of Columbus events including Fiddlers Frolics, Polka Fest and Domino tournaments.  As the grandkids began to arrive, "PoPo" transitioned to the lawn chair at the tank baiting their lines and taking bass and catfish off the hook.  He retired after more than 20 years of co-ownership of Hermes and Steffek Fertilizer Plant in Edna, Texas.  Following retirement, he spent time in his favorite recliner watching his favorite baseball team, "The Texas Rangers" and watching all of his grandkids and great grandkids play on the living room floor. He always kept his sweet tooth fed with plenty of Blue Bell ice cream, brownies with extra pecans and kolaches. His longtime K-9 friend, Bucky, was always by his side no matter where he went.

Johnnie was a member of the Texas Army National Guard and Army Reserves.  He also was an Honorary Life Member of the Knights of Columbus for 69 years where he served as a Council Officer, Committee Chairman, and Dance Committee Member.  He was individually recognized as Knight of the Year and along with his family, recognized as Family of the Year.  He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Hallettsville.

Johnnie is survived by: wife Alene; 5 sons, Darryl & wife Cheryl, David & wife Cindy, Donnie & wife Barbara, Dale & wife Donna, and Ricky & wife Barbara Steffek; daughter Wendy Agee & husband John (JJ); 12 grandchildren; 16 great children; 2 step granddaughters; and 9 step great grandchildren.

Johnnie was preceded in death by:  his parents; brother Anton Steffek Jr.; and 4 sisters, Frances Jurena, Annie Hessler, Janie Hermes and Mary Stary.

Funeral Mass Service: 10 am, Friday, July 9, 2021, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Hallettsville. Visitation starting at 5 pm, Thursday at Kubena Funeral Home; with Rosary starting at 7 pm. Pallbearers: Jared Steffek, Bradley Steffek, Dustin Steffek, Derek Steffek, Kasey Steffek, Cade Agee & Camden Agee. Officiant: Msgr. John Peters. Memorials (in lieu of flowers): donor's choice. Entombment: Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery.