Helen M. Steffens Williams

1922 - 2022

Helen Marie Steffens Williams, 99, Union, passed away Saturday, April 9, 2022, in Washington.

She was born Dec. 22, 1922, in Stephens, the daughter of Charles Thomas Druce and wife Burnetta Marie Wright Druce. Her father, Charles, left Helen and her mother when Helen was six weeks old. Helen was very close to her stepfather, "dad" Alfred Ackmann. She grew up in Washington and had many fond memories and stories of the way Washington used to be and was delighted with the community today. She was married to the love of her life, Emil "Achy" Steffens, April 20, 1946. They lived in Washington a few years, then Labadie and finally settled in a home they built in Union in 1955.

She worked for Kady Kay Shoe Factory in Washington a few years and many years at Carmo Shoe Factory in Union. After retirement, she cleaned homes for several Union area families. She was a member of St. Peter's E & R Church in Washington, and later joined Zion United Church of Christ in Union. She was a faithful member and especially enjoyed the Zion Adult Fellowship.

Helen was blessed with good health into her mid 90s and was thankful each day for what God had blessed her with. She learned to dance when she was young. She said during the Depression it was cheap, and they danced all the time. She enjoyed line dancing into her 90s. She also enjoyed sewing, embroidery, crocheting, working puzzles, collecting dolls and teddy bears and being around friends. There was a special place in her heart for children and the folks at Emmaus Home.

Helen is survived by, as she referred to them, her "adopted" family, Dorothy Mooney, Union; grandchildren, Kevin and Carol Mooney, Washington; great grandchildren, Zach Mooney, Isabella Mooney and Abigail Mooney, all of Washington; cherished, lifelong friend, Doris Flake Noelke and husband Al, Washington; dear friends, the Jackie Zeitzmann family, Kenny Ackmann, Norma and Armin Klemme, Carolyn Donohoe, Tish Klemme and Hettie Becker; and her Steffens family nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her loving and devoted mother, Marie Weitzel, in 1998; dad, Alfred Ackmann; loving husband, Emil "Achy" Steffens; and daughter, Sharon, in infancy.

Visitation was held Saturday, April 16, from 9-11 a.m. at Oltmann Funeral Home, Union with a memorial service following at 11 a.m.

Burial was in Midlawn Cemetery, Union.

Memorials to Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital or Camp-Mo-Val are preferred.

Arrangements were in care of Oltmann Funeral Home, Union.