Deray Gene Steffensen

DeRay G. Steffensen, 65, of Goshen, died Saturday, April 11, 2020, at home after battling pancreatic cancer for more than a year.

A memorial service and celebration of life will be held Friday, July 24, 2020, beginning at 3:00 pm, at Faith Lutheran Church, 202 S. Greene Road, Goshen. Pastors John Hickey and Jessica King will officiate.

All who attend the service are asked to wear masks. Business casual attire is encouraged; DeRay preferred friendly, casual gatherings.

An informal reception will follow the service at Maplecrest Country Club, Goshen.

He was born December 18, 1954, in Albert Lea, Minnesota, to DeVere and Clarine (Aamondt) Steffensen and was baptized in the Lutheran faith. DeRay grew up on a farm near Leland, Iowa, active in 4H and loving the rural life. He attended Lake Mills High School, where he was active in FFA, was honored with the Iowa Farmer degree, and where he also played football.

After graduating from high school, DeRay went on to Iowa State University, Ames, earning a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business and marketing. He remained a Cyclone fan throughout this life.

On June 26, 1976, DeRay and Karen Eymann were married at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Forest City, Iowa. They became parents of two children, John and Sally. Family was everything to DeRay and he valued time spent with them.  He also made friends everywhere, known for his big personality and quick wit.

DeRay was employed at Eymann Implement Company and later Winnebago Industries, Forest City, for several years.  The family moved to Goshen in 1991 when DeRay began a long career at Utilimaster Corporation, Bristol, where he was a national accounts manager. He retired in May 2019, after 28 years of service. DeRay valued his long relationships with both coworkers and customers. He was an active member of Faith Lutheran Church and Maplecrest Country Club. DeRay was an avid sportsman, enjoying hunting, well known for his marksmanship, and fishing, especially his annual trips to Canada with his long-time Iowa friends.

In addition to his wife, DeRay is survived by their son, John Steffensen; his mother, Clarine Steffensen, Lake Mills, Iowa; four sisters, LouAnn (Richard) Mikes, Sanibel Island, Florida; Patricia Nelson, Northwood, Iowa; Julie (Leigh) Foster, Boone, Iowa; and Becky (Larry) Hill, Thompson, Iowa. He is also survived by his mother-in-law, Mavis Eymann Langerud of Forest City, Iowa, and brother-in-law, Kent (Diane) Eymann of Rockton, Illinois. In addition, he is survived by nieces and nephews, who were so important to him. The family also acknowledges the many close friends who enriched DeRay’s life and supported him on his journey.

He was preceded in death by his father; daughter, Sally Anne Steffensen on December 21, 2013, sister, Nancy Monson; nephew, Michael Nelson; father-in-law, John Eymann; and two brothers-in-law, Curtis Nelson and David Monson.

A private burial took place April 16, 2020 at West Goshen Cemetery.

Memorial gifts may be given to Faith Lutheran Church, Goshen; Boys and Girls Club of Goshen or The Window, Goshen.