Esther Hilda Steffen

Esther Steffen, 85, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend, passed away peacefully at her home in Fort Collins on October 22nd, 2013. She was born on August 18, 1928 to Aksel and Gerda Sorensen in the township of Plain Center, SD, the youngest of six children. She was raised on her family's farm near Arlington, SD, lived in Seattle, WA for two years in high school, and returned to South Dakota for her senior year. She graduated from Arlington High School and married Kenneth Brooksmith in 1946. Esther and Kenneth had three children and eventually moved to Cheyenne, WY, where Kenneth died in 1961.

Esther met Glen Steffen while working at Mountain Bell Telephone Co. in Cheyenne, and they were married on June 9, 1962. Esther and Glen spent the next 51 years together in Cheyenne and Fort Collins, raising their "yours, mine and ours" family of eight, working, travelling, and enjoying their time with each other, friends and family.

Esther enjoyed home decorating, entertaining, travelling, spending time with family and friends, and shopping for a good bargain. Most of all, she enjoyed people, and never met a stranger. She was active in her church and both led and participated in Community Bible Study for many years. Esther was a member of LifePointe Church (formerly First Baptist
Church) of Fort Collins.

Esther is survived by her beloved husband Glen Steffen, sons John Brooksmith, Gary Brooksmith, Kerwin Steffen, Leon Steffen and Rex Steffen, daughters Lisa Allen and Shawn Sjogren, 19 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her daughter Janell Woolridge and grandson Benjamin Brooksmith.

A celebration of Esther's life will take place at LifePointe Church in Fort Collins on Wednesday, October 30, 2013 at 1:00 pm.

Donations can be made to Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation or Wounded Warrior Project in care of Goes Funeral Care, 3665 Canal Drive, Suite E, Fort Collins, CO 80524.