LYONS — Jerome H. Steffan, 75, of Lyons, Kan., passed away Feb. 2, 2022, at his home. He was born Oct. 14, 1946, in Nashville, Kan., the son of Harold and Louise Panek Steffan. Jerome was a lifetime Rice County resident having resided in Lyons since 1991, formerly of Chase, Kan. He graduated from Chase High School with the class of 1964. 

Jerome was a well-respected master carpenter and used his skills helping family and friends. He served in the United States Army Reserves from Sept. 24, 1964 until March 8, 1970. Jerome was a member of St. Paul Catholic Church, Lyons. He was a car enthusiast and loved all things about cars; poring over car details, attending car shows, going to local car dealerships to strike up a deal, and taking pride in caring for the cars that he and Della kept in their garage. On Sept. 14, 1968, Jerome was united in marriage with Della Rufenacht in Ness City, Kan. She survives of the home. 

He is also survived by his son, Jarrod Steffan and wife Aimee of Andover, Kan.; four daughters, Rachel Loesch and husband Roger of Lyons, Rhonda Coulter and husband Nick of Hutchinson, Kan., Tina Martinez and husband Luis of Hutchinson, Kan., and Tonya Navarro and husband Matt of Emporia, Kan.; two brothers, Larry Steffan and wife Debby of Chase, Kan., and Jim Steffan and wife Cindy of Lyons; sister, Janie Haxton of Claflin, Kan.; two brothers-in-law, Dale Rufenacht and wife Cindy of Amarillo, Texas, and Howard Rufenacht of Wichita, Kan.; 14 grandchildren, Mikayla, Cassie, Reagan, Michael, Chloe, Karsyn, Gaige, Landon, Lyncoln, Madison, Zane, Dominic, Hunter, and Augustine. Jerome was preceded in death by his parents; infant son, Travis Steffan; and two brothers-in-law, Larry Haxton and Gary Rufenacht. 

Funeral mass will be at 10:30 a.m., Monday, Feb. 7, 2022, at St. Paul Catholic Church, Lyons, with Father Michael Brungardt officiating. A Parish rosary will be said at 10 a.m. at the church. Burial will follow at Lyons Municipal Cemetery with military honors by the Ft. Riley Honor Guard. Visitation will be from 2 until 4 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 6, 2022, at Birzer Funeral Home, Lyons with family present. Memorials may be given to St. Paul Catholic Church or Johnson Cancer Research Center- KSU in care of Birzer Funeral Home, Lyons.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Birzer Funeral Homes 

214 West Ave. South

Lyons, KS  67554

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Feb. 4, 2022