John "Ripper" Steffen, Hugo, MN, 1964 - 2008
Obituary:
John passed away on Nov. 28, 2008, at his home in Hugo, at the age of 44 after a very courageous battle with cancer. John was born on March 24, 1964, in Albert Lea, to Leon and Laura (Vorpahl) Steffen. He graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1982. He then enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, proudly serving his country for four years.
On Oct. 3, 1987, he was united in marriage to Shaun Vangen. They were blessed with two sons, Justin and Finn. John lived in Wisconsin, Nebraska and Iowa before coming back to make his home in Minnesota. He worked for El Tronics in the Minneapolis area. They were wonderful to him throughout his battle with cancer.
John is survived by his wife, Shaun, of Hugo; sons, Justin, who is proudly serving as a Lance Corporal in the United States Marine Corps at Camp Pendleton, Calif., and Finn, at home in Hugo; Justin’s fianceé, Molly Vargason; parents, Leon and Laura Steffen of Albert Lea; siblings: Tim (Jamie) Steffen of Mascoutah, Ill., Mary (Larry) Schroader of Albert Lea, Cathy (Kirk) Cash of Farmington, Mike (Peggy) Steffen of White Wood, S.D., and Melissa (John) Bien of Sioux Falls, S.D.; several nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles; mother-in-law, Sandra Vangen of White Bear Lake; brother-in-law, Drew (Melissa) Vangen of Albert Lea; sister-in-law, Tira Vangen of White Bear Lake; and many friends in the Leathernecks Motorcycle Club. John was preceded in death by grandparents, Arnold and Florence Vorpahl and Elmore and Anne Steffen; and father-in-law, Kenneth Vangen.
We salute his strength of character, his determination to fight the difficult battle with cancer, and above all, his tremendous sense of humor throughout his journey. John will be sadly missed by his family and all who knew him. God bless his memory. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the American Cancer Society Relay for Life, hospice or memorial of your choice.
Reported to Final Duty Station: