Harry Steffen

Steffen, Harry Cashed in his chips for the final time in Las Vegas on April 9, 2006, while traveling across country at the age of 80. He was a man who was larger than life, full of energy, curiosity and enthusiasm. He loved to travel, hunt, fish, play cards and just enjoy the good life. He was a very smart, generous & loyal man who loved his family. His favorite place in the world was a cabin located on an island in Lake of Bays, Canada. With his dog Sam, friends and family, he loved to spend time by the campfire listening to the call of the loons when he was not out fishing or spotting wildlife. Harry worked and played hard, enlisting his troops (whoever was nearby) to join in. He was a very successful entrepreneur & salesman extraordinaire, a gifted man with many ideas & talents. He developed shopping centers across Canada for farmers as President of National Farm Stores Inc. He owned Mount Rushmore, Tablerock, Brainerd & Lakeline Helicopter Companies. He developed real estate in California as Steffen Ranch Inc. He started a water drilling company named Peters Drilling & Pump, helped revive a logging and lumbermill company named Gene West Inc., and started an excavation company named Ryberg Construction Inc., along with many other ventures. Harry served his country in World War II as a chief petty officer aboard the USS Tennessee. He is survived by his loving family: wife Lois Steffen and children & spouses, Tim & Mary Steffen, Sheri Steffen, Paul Bilzerian & Terri Steffen, Rick & Cynthia Haakana, Dan & Lisa Steffen, Larry Strober & Leslie Steffen & Greg & Kim Steffen. A celebration of his life will be held at Brenny's Funeral Home in Crosslake, MN on Sat., April 22, 2006 at 11 AM. Call (218) 692-5051.
This obituary was originally published in the Star Tribune.