Wayne Lee Steffes, age 68 of Balaton, passed away peacefully March 4, 2018 with his family by his side at Pipestone County Hospice in Pipestone.  Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 9 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Tracy.  Visitation will be 4:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 8 at Tracy Area Funeral Home with a prayer service at 6:30 pm.  Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at church.  Interment will be in the Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Tracy.  In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St. Jude’s, Balaton Ambulance or Pipestone County Hospice House.  Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice.com.  Stephens Funeral Service – Tracy Area Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Wayne was born March 12^th 1949 to Raymond and Alice (Przymus) Steffes in Canby, MN. Wayne was the oldest of 11 children and grew up on a family farm located west of Ivanhoe, MN. Wayne attended school at Ivanhoe Public School. After graduation, Wayne furthered his education at Canby Technical College for a two year course in diesel mechanics. Through this education Wayne was employed as Parts Manager at Bills Oliver and continued his career at Zieglers, Olson & Johnson International, Viessman’s Trucking, and Marshall Truck and Trailer. Wayne was also a truck driver and through the years he kept his CDL and used it while helping area farmers along with assisting the City of Balaton with snow removal. Prior to retirement, Wayne was last employed at McCleary’s Auto Parts in Tracy, MN.  Wayne was baptized, received his First Holy Communion and Confirmation at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Ivanhoe, MN. On August 7, 1971, Wayne and Cathy (Bradley) were united in marriage there as well. Through this union they had two sons, Jason and Benji and a daughter, Carissa. Wayne was an active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Tracy, MN. Through the years, Wayne was involved in various community projects such as Cub Scouts Leader, a volunteer for the Lynd Fire Department and he volunteered with activities at Prairie View Senior Living in Tracy. Wayne especially enjoyed his morning coffee and visits with his buddies at the Balaton Cenex station. Wayne recently took the position of being Balaton’s Mayor, although it could have challenges, he very much enjoyed being a part of the community he loved so dearly. Wayne had an ultimate love for his family and friends. His life was deeply enriched by his interests in fishing, hunting, 4-wheeling, snowmobiling, camping and vacationing. He especially loved fall deer hunting with family and friends while spending time at brother Al’s hunting shed. Wayne has always had a love for farming. After retirement, he enjoyed helping out area farmers with spring planting and fall harvest. However, Wayne’s greatest joy was being with his children and grandchildren. Wayne always had a big smile on his face when he attended his grandchildren’s special events.

Wayne is survived by his wife Cathy; son Benji (Kim) Steffes of Garretson, SD; daughter Carissa (Aaron) Rutz of Lakeville; grandchildren: Riley and Mattea Steffes, Hailey and Cooper Steffes and Natalie, Jenna and Ian Rutz; mother-in-law Doreen Bradley of Marshall; brothers: Allen (Jane) Steffes of Hendricks, Les (Cheryl) Steffes of Bluffdale, UT, Bob (Brenda) Steffes of Hendricks; sisters: Jean (Gerry) Paseka of Moorhead, Marian (Frank) Payne of Bozeman, MT, Karen (Eric) Hansen of Fargo, ND, Betty Jo (Joe) Tykwinski of Valley City, ND, Lynn (Dave) Bowman of Shakopee, Paula (Jay) DeClusin of Bemidji; and many nieces and nephews.   Wayne is preceded in death by his son Jason Steffes, his parents Raymond and Alice Steffes, sister June Peterson and brother-in-law Steve Peterson, father-in-law Leo Bradley, and brother-in-law Tim Bradley.

Blessed be his memory.