REV. NORMAN L. STEFFEN

1928 - 2010

The Rev. Norman L Steffen, 82, Lawrence, Kan., died peacefully, surrounded by family members Friday, Sept. 10, 2010.
Born Aug. 29, 1928, in Omaha, Neb., the third son of Otto and Hulda (Jetter) Steffen, Norman, as a young man, attended First Lutheran Church in Omaha, and was an all-star catcher and running back at Omaha (Neb.) Tech High, where he was voted most likely to succeed. He began his college education on a Rector Scholarship at DePauw University in Greencastle, Ind. There he met the love of his life and eventual wife, Kathryn Pierce.
After one year at DePauw in Delta Chi fraternity, he decided that, for him, questions of faith and meaning had more importance than chemical engineering. He transferred to St. John's Lutheran College in Winfield, Kan., to begin pre-seminary training. He graduated in 1949 and continued his studies at Concordia Lutheran Seminary in St. Louis, Mo. Kay and Norm married on Dec. 22, 1951, in her hometown of Minneapolis. After completing his vicarage in Bismarck, N.D., he graduated from the seminary in 1955.
Rev. Steffen's career in campus ministry touched five decades, beginning in 1954 in Davis, Calif., where he pastored a mission congregation, Davis Lutheran Church, and did campus ministry work. In 1965, he answered a call to Lawrence to a campus congregation, first known as University Lutheran Church, which later merged with Immanuel Lutheran Church. In 1977, he answered a call to serve a town-gown congregation in DeKalb, Ill.. for another 13 years, before retiring to Lawrence in 1990. In retirement, he continued interim ministry, including six months as a "snowbird minister" in McAllen, Texas. He and Kay were active in senior and campus ministry and served as a host family to several foreign students at KU.
From 1965-1974, Rev. Steffen met the challenge of serving on the Human Relations Commission of the city of Lawrence at a difficult time in the city's history. Both as a member and as chairman, he worked to ease racial tensions by promoting dialog and understanding. His efforts advanced equal access to facilities and resources and promoted fair housing/employment ordinances. His family believes this is one of his most significant contributions and witnesses of his faith.
He was a member of the Ministerial Association, the Lawrence Tennis Association and played in the slow-pitch softball church league. He loved dancing with Kay and attending musical, athletic and other performances. He was intimately involved with his family and officiated at its weddings and baptisms. He took great joy and pride in observing the growth and achievements of all its members.
Survivors include his beloved wife, Kay; four daughters, Nancy and Fred Anderson of Las Cruces, N.M., Carolyn Steffen and Julie Burik of Shawnee, Kan., Suzanne Steffen and Bob Hyland of Kansas City, Mo., and Janice Steffen and Jan Madlock of Bonner Springs, Kan.; a son, David Steffen and Jill Kerr of Carrboro, N.C.; a sister, Marilyn Seitz, of California, 13 grandchildren, Avery and Stephanie Demby, Jaimee and Earnest Harris, Jessie Steffen, Emerald Anderson, Ivy Anderson, Georgia Steffen, Zoemma Steffen, Louisa Steffen, Natalie Hyland, Liam Hyland, Mercedes Steffen Madlock, Hailie Steffen Madlock, Keani Steffen Madlock; and seven great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Arnold and Paul; and a granddaughter, Leilah Steffen.
A memorial service for the Rev. Norman L Steffen will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 17, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Lawrence. Private burial will precede the memorial service at Stoney Point Cemetery in southern Douglas County. The family will greet friends from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 16, at Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th, Lawrence, KS 66044-3402.
They suggest memorials in his name to Immanuel Lutheran Church in Lawrence, the Alzheimer's Association or a hospice of donor's choice. These may be sent in care of the mortuary; 785-843-1120.
Online condolences may be sent to www.warrenmcelwain.com.