Wayne Fremont Steffen, affectionately known as ‘Slim’, was born on March 20, 1930, in Cass County, Iowa. He spent his early years in rural Cass County and the town of Griswold, where he attended school and graduated from Griswold High School in 1948.
Wayne was drafted into the Army and served as a Field Wireman during the Korean War from November 14, 1951, to August 13, 1953, earning various service medals for his dedication.
On June 20, 1954, Wayne married Jeanne Marie Rostat in Greenfield. Together, they raised three children: Jon, Mark, and Jayne. The family resided in Griswold before moving to the Rostat family farm outside of Greenfield in 1973.
Wayne’s career included working at Rodr Oil in Griswold, Reed Standard Oil in Greenfield, and farming with his father-in-law, Harvey Rostat. He also served as a chief engineer in various hotels in Des Moines and was a devoted caretaker to his wife during her later years.
Wayne was a 70-year member of the American Legion, serving as Commander and Adjutant at the Charles W. Smith Post 508 in Griswold. He was involved in numerous committees, including the Old Soldiers Reunion, where he was Grand Marshall in 2012. He was a life member of the Second Indianhead Division Association and the 9th Infantry Regiment (Manchu) Association. Wayne was also a member of the United Church of Christ in Griswold and the United Methodist Church in Hebron.
Known for his humor and storytelling, Wayne was a dedicated 4-H Dad and an avid Iowa State supporter. He enjoyed making pancakes for family and friends and was known for his funny faces, which delighted his great-granddaughter.
Wayne is survived by his children Jon (Jodi) of Creston, Mark (Mike) of Palm Springs, CA, and Jayne (Kevin) Mazurkiewicz of rural Greenfield; grandchildren Tabitha (Kyle) Lewis of Murray, Zachary Steffen of Creston, Kyle Mazurkiewicz of Las Vegas, Nevada, and Christopher Mazurkiewicz of Greenfield; great-granddaughter Rowan Lewis; sisters Mary Davis of Glenwood, Henrietta Reppas of Grundy Center, and Janet Martinez of Arvada, Colorado; 20 nieces and nephews, and many life-long friends and neighbors.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Jeanne, his parents Henry and Blanche, brothers Clark, Paul, Marvin, and Boyd, sisters Aletha, Lucy, and Harriett, and great-grandson Emmett Lewis.
A celebration of life gathering for Wayne will be held on Saturday, March 22, 2025, from 1:30 PM until 3:30 PM, at the Griswold Community Building. Private family interment will be in the Greenfield Cemetery. Rieken Duhn Funeral Home in Griswold is assisting the family.
