Theodore "Ted" F. Steffenson

  Theodore Franklin Steffenson, the son of Severt and Ethel (Chapman) Steffenson, was born on December 4, 1929, at his family home in Clarion, Iowa.  He was baptized in the Holmes Lutheran Church and confirmed in the Lutheran Church in Ellendale, Minnesota.  Ted’s schooling began at a country school in Galt, Iowa and his family later moved to Star Prairie, Wisconsin and Ellendale, Minnesota.  He worked for his dad on their farm.  Ted served with the 34th Military Police Co. of the Iowa National Guard of Eagle Grove, Iowa.

     On November 22, 1951, Ted was united in marriage to Darlene Joan Orr of Eagle Grove in Homes Lutheran Church.  He started farming north of Goldfield in the spring of 1952 and presided there until 1980 at which they moved to Santa Barbara, California where Ted was the Stallion Manager for Cynthia Wood Stables for one year before returning back to the farm. In 2015 they moved to Eagle Grove.

    Ted will be remembered for his love of American Saddlebreds which he raised and showed for 35 years.  During his years of showing Futurity colts in Iowa, Illinois, Indiana and Minnesota, he had 14 Grand Champions and beat the world champion colt in Indiana three times.

     Ted passed away on Monday, November 20, 2023, at the age of 93 years. He was preceded in death by his parents, Severt and Ethel Steffenson; sister, Carrie Bakken and two brothers, Lloyd Steffenson and Sylvus Steffenson.

      Ted is survived by his wife, Darlene; children: Diane (John) Opheim, Suzanne (Greg) Rohrer and Michael Steffenson; six grandchildren: Jason (Darla) Opheim, Chad (Lisa) Opheim, Jill (Brooks) Rolling, Lindsay (Brady) Struchen, Jordan (Stephanie) Rohrer and Zachary (Lauren) Steffenson and twelve great-grandchildren.

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