Frances "Fairy" L. Steffe

Frances “Fairy” L. Steffe, age 87 passed away at her home on June 16 in Gilbert,
Arizona, surrounded by her loving husband of 67 years, Harlan “Gene”, and her family.
From her birth in Kingsley, Iowa, on August 7, 1931 to her death on June 16, 2019 she
nourished her family, friends, and all those who were blessed to know her, with love,
faith, and kindness.
She was born on a farm near Kingsley to Walter McDermott and Opal (Bainbridge)
McDermott, and was the youngest of two children. She attended the Country School
from the age of five, and graduated from Kingsley High School in 1949. Later, she
attended Secretarial School, and worked at the Livestock Exchange in Sioux City and
the Kingsley State Bank.
It was Fairy’s sparkling blue eyes, and her warm, compassionate heart that attracted
Gene Steffe to her at a St. Patrick’s Day dance in 1949. Fairy and Gene were married
on December 16, 1951 at St. Micheal’s Catholic Church in Kingsley, Iowa. They built a
life together, and raised five daughters in Northwest Iowa. Fairy lovingly cultivated her
family, and tended to her impressive vegetable and flower gardens. She was a devoted
member of the Immaculate Conception Church in Moville, and spent many hours
volunteering and participating in various community activities including the church’s
quilting club. She won many ribbons for her jams and preserves, and loved to bake for
family and friends.
Left to honor Fairy and remember her love are her husband, Gene, and their daughters,
Patricia, Cynthia, Susan, and Felicia, ten grandchildren, Jamie Ekatomatis, Zachary
Wickersham, Jessica Stubbs, Alexis Wickersham, Phillip McConnell, Jordan Stubbs,
Sophie Blauer, Benjamin Blauer, Ava Roberts, and Max Blauer, and great-grandchild,
Ian Ekatomatis.
Fairy was preceded in death by her parents, brother Lawrence “Larry” McDermott, and
daughter, Alice Stubbs. Fairy will be remembered as a bright, shining light in the various
communities and churches she served. Memorial service will be held on Saturday, July
6, 2019 at 11:00 AM at St. Michael’s Church in Kingsley. The family will greet friends
before and after the service. Those who wish can make donations in Fairy’s name to St.
Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. Arrangements will be
made by the Rohde Funeral Home in Kingsley.