Sylvia Mae (Metcalf) Steffen

Sylvia Mae Steffen, 92, of Manchester, formerly of Ryan, Iowa, passed away on Monday, July 18, 2016, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  Sylvia was born on April 12, 1924, in Dubuque, the daughter of Guy and Anna (Noesen) Metcalf.  She was raised and attended country school near Dubuque.

On November 21, 1955, Sylvia was united in marriage to Alphonse Steffen in Dubuque.  Eight children were born to this union.  Together they farmed for over forty years near Ryan.  The couple retired from farming in 1997 and moved to Manchester.  Alphonse passed away in 1999.

Sylvia was a faithful member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. She was an excellent cook and enjoyed baking for her kids and grandkids, always keeping her freezer well stocked. Sylvia loved spending time with her family.

Survivors include her eight children, Daniel (Kathy) Steffen of Dyersville, Susanne (Robert) Hankey of Elkader, James (Lindha) Steffen of Altoona, Sharon (Todd) Williams of Cedar Rapids, Diane Jones of Dearborn, Missouri, Karen (Scott) Shulista of Solon, Kristina (Jerry) Whalen of Eugene, Oregon, and Mark (Sandy) Steffen of Ryan; 16 grandchildren; one great-grandchild, with one on the way; and two sisters, Kathleen (Bill) Rettenmeier of Dubuque and Mary (Ray) Zdilla of River Forest, Illinois.

Sylvia was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Alphonse Steffen; two brothers, Calvin and Francis Metcalf; and three sisters, Geraldine Whalen, Margaret Kass, and one in infancy. 

Sylvia’s family wishes to thank the nurses and staff at Regional Medical Center in Manchester, and the third floor and hospice care unit at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids, for all the care they provided over her final three weeks. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family.  

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