Charles J. "Chuck" Steffens, 59

St. Cloud

Dec. 9, 1951 - August 15, 2011

Funeral services will be 11:30 a.m. Saturday, August 20, 2011 at Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home, Sauk Rapids for Charles J. "Chuck" Steffens, age 59, who passed away Monday, August 15, 2011 at his home. Rev. Al Stangl will officiate and burial will be at a later date. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Friday and one hour prior to the services Saturday at Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home, Sauk Rapids.

Chuck Steffens was born December 9, 1951 in St. Cloud, MN to Roger and Rosemary (Wensmann) Steffens. Chuck graduated from Technical High School, St. Cloud in 1970 and served in the Marines from 1970-1972. He worked at the Minnesota Correctional Facility in St. Cloud until his retirement in 2002. He also bartended his entire adulthood, including the Press Bar, Trader and Trapper, and most recently the VFW in Sauk Rapids. He was also bar manager at the DelWin Ballroom and the St. Cloud Civic Center. Chuck was an avid golfer, only taking up the sport in his 30's but quickly excelled, becoming a superb player. He loved riding his Harley, his yearly winter get-away to Cancun, and was an avid reader, reading just about anything he got his hands on. His intelligence and sense of humor will be missed by all. He was the master of Scrabble and Cribbage, the games won't be the same without him. Family get-togethers will not be the same without his special wit and his ability to get along with just about anybody. At first meeting, Chuck usually appeared to be tough on the outside but once you got to know him, he was the most kindhearted person one could ever meet.

He is survived by his daughter, Victoria "Tori" Hambleton Steffens of St. Cloud; Tori's mother, Pamela Hambleton of St. Cloud; sisters, Linda Kappes of St. Joseph, Kathryn (Adrian) Smith of Vero Beach, FL, Sharon (Greg) Funk of Battle Lake; brothers, David (Gale Tinglov) of St. Cloud, Gary (Perry) of Anchorage, AK, Paul (Lisa) of Shorewood, Dana of St. Joseph; half-sister, Kathleen Stalnaker of San Diego, CA and her children Lisa Castro and Robert Hackett and grandchildren, Alexis and Jordan Castro.

Affectionately known as "Daddy R" and "Uncle Buck" he will be greatly missed by nieces and nephews, Darren (Jody) Kappes (godson) and Brandon Kappes of St. Joseph, Bobbie (Trent) Steffens Mabe of Charlotte, NC, Amber Steffens of Waite Park, Molly (Ben) Zawacki Petsch (goddaughter) of Nashville, TN, Michael Smith of Vero Beach, FL, Michelle Steffens of Anchorage, AK, Laura Steffens of Salt Lake City, UT, Katie Steffens of Anchorage, AK, Danielle "Dani", Cole and Elizabeth "Ellie" Steffens of Shorewood, Kyle and Abby Steffens of St. Joseph; and great nieces, Lauren and Mykaela Kappes of St. Joseph; and great nephews, Christian, Hampton and August Mabe of Charlotte, NC.

He will also be missed by many aunts and uncles, including his godmother, Veronica Wensmann Smude of Maple Grove; many cousins, special friend, Marcie Beman, and of course, the many friends he made on the golf course and during his many years of being the 'consummate' bartender. Chuck was preceded in death by his father, Roger Steffens in 1989 and mother, Rose Marie Steffens in 1998.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to his daughter, Tori, for funeral expenses and her education.

Obituary, Guest Book, and video tribute available online: www.williamsdingmann.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by St. Cloud Times on Aug. 17, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Charles Steffens

Sponsored by "Dizzy Dave" Lorinser.

19 Entries

August 22, 2011

To the family of Chuck,
Chuck was a friend of my brother Dave Brockman and used to come up to our cabin in his Z28. He taught us to play a dice game called Ziltch and made us laugh with stories about spagetti coming out of his brothers nose when he sneezed at the dinner table. He was quite a character and even though I haven't seen him in a while, I think of him often with fondness and will continue to in the future. My deepest sympathy to all of you. Polly Brockman-Evenson

Shannon Orcutt

August 19, 2011

dear tori, I just want to say how much i will miss ur father at the vfw in Sauk Rapids. He was the greatest. He was there for me when my father passed away last July. I was soooo surprised to see him at my father's wake when i only knew him as a bartender at the vfw. He touched my life and many others by his spontanious nature and wonderful personality. Please accept my deepest sympathy in his passing. He lived a full and happy life and touched many people in the short time he was with us... love u and hope to see u soon at the vfw!

Joy Bliss (Reding)

August 19, 2011

Tori & Family,
Words cannot express my feelings upon hearing the news of Chuck's passing. Chuck was a very dear and special friend. I have many wonderful memories
of our time spent together. He was a very special person to me.
My God bless and comfort you during this time of great sorrow.

Lane Jacobson

August 18, 2011

Tori,I worked with you and Chuck at the VFW. He and I would have so much fun. My offbeat sense of humor was tried on him countless times.It never failed that his quick wit would give me a come back and we both would have a good laugh! Chuck would always look you in the eye when he talked to you, this always tells you if you are talking to an honest and true person.I will miss him and I wish you and your family only the best life has to offer.
Lane Jacobson Rice MN.

BOB & LEONA SKILLINGSTAD

August 18, 2011

TORI,YOUR DAD WAS A GREAT MAN. WE WILL MISS HIM DEARLY. WE WILL KEEP YOU IN OUR PRAYERS. BOB & LEONA SKILLINGSTAD

Jason & Trish Fisher

August 18, 2011

Dana and Family,

We are sorry for your loss. We are thinking of you and your family during this difficult time. Our condolences......

Bruce and Julie Hagestuen

August 18, 2011

My husband and I got to know Chuck about 5 years ago. His humor and wit will be greatly missed. Our condolences to your family during this sad time. He was a great man with a beautiful soul.

God Bless you.
Julie and Bruce Hagestuen

August 17, 2011

Mandi and I never knew Chuck but we know what an impact that he had on Marci. She is a great woman, and the reports of the great times that they had together make me so sad for the loss. I pray for Tori, Marci and all the family and friends who have lost their Chuck. God bless.

Justin and Mandi (Beman) Newman

So, like you think you can beat Me at cribbage, Mister?

Dave Lorinser

August 17, 2011

Tori and Chuck's Family,
Chuck is a very good friend of mine. Even though I moved to Texas 16 years ago, I always consider him one of my est friends ever! We have played cribbage, golf, had a "few" beers,
together, traveled to Cancun, and Chuck has visited my wife and I in Texas. I saw Chuck only 2 weeks ago in Minnesota, I called him and it was like I never moved. He came right over to visit me and we had a wonderful time talking about old times, and things he's done since I moved. Like an old shoe, Chuck fits perfectly! He loves to talk about Tori and the things she's doing, golf, his family, and everything else. Probably everyone has heard the story, but, anyways, about 25 years ago, we met, and he looked at me and after a while he said "you know for 5 cents I will kick your @#$. I looked at this intimidating dude and said "Ok, you got change for a dime?" We have been the best of friends ever since! Tori, I think your Dad refers’s to me as 'Dizzy Dave", maybe you can let me know why?

God Bless,
Dave “Dizzy Dave”

From Theresa Lorinser: I will always cherish the times I hung out with Chuck. We had great times in Texas, Minnesota, and Cancun. Dave and I will miss Chuck, he was a true friend.

(Dave will be there if my plane arrives it time).

Erin Stock

August 17, 2011

Dear Tori,
My deepest sympathy to you and all of your family. I know how difficult it is to lose a father at a young age. I hope it is comforting to know how many people loved your Dad, and that so many will remember him for the great person that he was! He was definitely one of a kind and I am grateful that in this world I had the chance to meet him. God Bless!

JOE & JANE WARNERT

August 17, 2011

TORI WE DID NOT KNOW YOU BUT WE KNEW YOUR DAD, WHO IS A GREAT MAN! LOVED TO GO TO THE VFW AND CHAT WITH HIM. HIS GREAT SENSE OF HUMOR WILL BE MISSED DEARLY. OUR THOUGHTS ARE WITH YOU.

John Bonacci

August 17, 2011

I am deeply sad in Chucks passing. I worked with Chuck at both Tradder n trapper and the correctional facility. We were good friends. I will miss him very much. Tori my heart to you and the family

Tara & Darren Roiger

August 17, 2011

It saddens us to know that another wonderful man was taken too soon! We will miss all the fun times, hanging out having a few beers...the number of beers depended on the number of wheels Chuck drove:) Chuck was a great man to be around and we will miss him alot. We will have a Miller Lite for you every now and then, knowing that you'll be having one with us!
Missing you already...

Randy & Melanie

August 17, 2011

He was a great man & great friend that would do anything for anybody. Many great memories were made in Cancun. He will be missed....

Rob Jacobs

August 17, 2011

Tori, I worked with your dad for 25 years at the prison. I had just seen him at Oak Hill Golf Course last week and had a nice conversation with Chuck. What a tradgedy! You and your family are in our prayers. Rob and Corrine Jacobs

Mike Kappes

August 17, 2011

I am very sorry to hear of Chuck's passing! Chuck and I were good friends and had some great times together.
My heart goes out to all who knew Chuck, and special sympathy for Tori.

Tara & Darren Roiger

August 17, 2011

It makes us so sad to see another wonderful man leave this world too soon! We will miss the visits, cribbage games, and just hanging out and have some beers with you! We will have a Miller Lite every now and then for you. We will cherish the memories we made with you and hold them close to us.
Missing you already...

David Salitros

August 17, 2011

Dear Tori,
My sincerest condolences on the loss of your father. I enjoyed golfing with Chuck, having a conversation with him, and watching him clown around at the VFW. He was always a bright spot in my day when I saw him. He will be missed.

Desi Spoden

August 17, 2011

Tori, words cannot express the depth of my sincere sympathy. My heart goes out to you and the rest of your family at this terribly sad time. Chuck was one of a kind and will be missed by many. I am so sorry!!
You're all in my thoughts and prayers.

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