Shirley L Steffes

Fond du Lac WI

Shirley L. (Langemak) Steffes was greeted at Heaven’s Gates by her husband, Cletus, and son, Tom, on Friday, August 30th, 2024. Even though Mom wanted to live forever, we know she couldn’t be happier to be reunited with Cletus who left her side in 1986, and Tom in 1975. She was born July 31, 1930, in Plymouth, WI, daughter of the late Arthur and Gertrude Langemak. She married Cletus in 1955 and together they had seven children.

Shirley looked forward to Christmas every year knowing all of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren would be together. Her joy only grew as each year more family members were added. Her birthdays were celebrated with phone calls from each and every grandchild, sometimes overflowing into the following day as her phone would be busy with everyone trying to get through to speak with her personally. 

Even though the last few years brought Mom many challenges with her health, she never complained. She was strong, stubborn, and independent until the very end.

Shirley is survived by her children: Sherry (Joel) Muench, Dan (Viola) Steffes, Pauline (Bob) Schraut, Denise (Don) Diederich, Lynn (Ken) Weston, and Lori (Stan) Freund; grandchildren: Eric (Jessica) Muench, Jesse (Heydy) Muench, Jeanna (Mark) Donovan, Kristen (Justin) Cox, Danielle (Jon) Rentmeester, Thomas (Hanna) Steffes, Jessica (Ryan) Birschbach, Dylan Steffes, Nicole (Scott) Simon, Jaclyn Schraut (significant other, Cody Colden), Michelle (Tyler) Starbird, Adam (Colleen Harvey) Diederich, Josh (Devin) Diederich, Jacob (Calli) Diederich, Zachary Weston, (fiancée, Morgan Platta), Jennifer Weston (special friend, Rob Alverson), Ryan Weston, Kaleb Weston, Brittnee (Keith) Romenesko, Brooke (Ben) Lind, Brady Freund, Brianna Freund, Braylee Freund (special friend, Chase Neumann), and Braeden Freund; great-grandchildren: Drake, Lidean, Rowan, Greyson, Willow, Carson, Kinley, Asher, Hailey, Aria, Ava, Harper, Jack, Bennett, Bailey, Leighton, Liam, Brynley, Blakely, and two on the way; brothers: Jack (Jill) Langemak and Jerry (JoAnne) Langemak; and in-laws: Barb Langemak, Lee Young, Ralph (Darlene) Steffes, Marge Steffes, and Leonie Schnur.

Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, Cletus; son: Tom; parents: Arthur and Gertrude Langemak; Cletus's parents: John and Amelia Steffes; siblings: James Langemak and Gail (Bruce) Young; and many in-laws from the Steffes family.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:00 pm on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at St. Cloud Church (924 S. Main St.) in St. Cloud. Relatives and friends may visit from 9:30 am until 11:45 am at the church on the day of service. A committal service will take place at the parish cemetery immediately following the funeral mass.

Shirley’s family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you for the wonderful care provided by Dr. Irina Ionova, Kimberly Hornes, and the SSM ER staff throughout the past few years. A special thank you to SSM Hospice for the love and compassion shown to Mom and our family during this difficult time.

Mom, we love and miss you but will cherish all the wonderful memories. Give Dad and Tom a hug from us.

In lieu of flowers a memorial fund will be established in the name of Shirley Steffes. Cards and memorials can be sent to Wieting Family Funeral Home c/o Shirley Steffes 411 W. Main St. Chilton, WI 53014