Eldonna Charline Steffen

Eldonna Charline Steffen, 83, of Tallahassee, Florida died on July 25, 2023 surrounded by loved ones. She was born in Willow Lake Township, Minnesota, on October 1, 1939, grew up on a farm in Wanda, MN, and lived in Southern Minnesota and Wisconsin until she moved to Tallahassee in the early 1970s. After earning her Master of Social Work degree at Florida State University she worked as a social worker for the next 30 years in Tallahassee, FL and Thomasville, GA, spending most of her career with the Child and Adolescent Unit at Southwestern State Hospital in Thomasville. Eldonna took being a social worker to heart and tried to live a life of service to others. She counseled friends and family, volunteered with Big Bend Hospice, Guardian Ad Litem, and ReadingPals, fostered several children, cared for sick friends and relatives, and always made her home available to those who needed a place to stay for months or even years. Eldonna played organ for her local church growing up and was later a founding member of Grace Lutheran Church and the Grace Lutheran chancel choir. She was an avid walker, gardener, and lifelong dog-lover. She became an FSU football fan in 1973 and watched or listened to every game for nearly 50 years until her passing. She traveled extensively, visiting places such as Alaska, Ireland, Germany, Africa, Micronesia and even lived for several years in Central Mexico. She loved spending time with family and friends, and could often be found playing cards after a group meal. Her greatest joy, however, was her two grandchildren, Eldonna and Easton. She picked them up from school every day for years, took them on various trips, watched them in every sport and activity, and spoke of them to anyone who would listen. Eldonna was preceded in death by her parents Mildred and Clarence Beermann, her first husband, Harry Steffen, her second husband, Joseph Stefanisko, and her sister-in-law Betty Steffen. Survivors include her son Erik Steffen, his wife Evelynn, their two children Eldonna and Easton, and a host of friends and family. A celebration of Eldonna’s life will be held on Saturday, July 29th, 2023 at 1pm at Bevis Funeral Home 200 John Knox Road. A reception will follow the service. Dayne Parker of Bevis Funeral Home (850-385-2193 or www.bevisfh.com) is assisting the family with their arrangements.

Tributes

Eldonna Charline Steffen

October 1, 1939 - July 25, 2023