Cletus Steffes

Cletus Louis Steffes, 85, of Fort Dodge died Wednesday, January 17, 2007 at the Marian Home in Fort Dodge. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Monday, January 22, 2007 at St. Ambrose Cathedral in Des Moines where he was a long time member. Burial will be at Glendale Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 4:30 p.m. with a prayer vigil at 4:30 p.m. Sunday at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon St.
Clete was born June 23, 1921 in Templeton, Iowa and lived over 50 years in Des Moines before moving to Fort Dodge in 2000. He graduated from Des Moines Barber College and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in September 1942. He served as a Chief Commissary Steward aboard LCT 271 transporting troops between Africa and Italy. He was discharged in November 1945. He married Rita Fitzsenry February 1, 1943 and had 5 children. He worked as a barber, a realtor and a US Postal carrier. He served on many committees at St. Ambrose; was a member of Holy Trinity Church in Fort Dodge and a lifetime member of the VFW.
Clete is survived by his son, Tom of Phoenix; two daughters, Vickie (Jim) Kesling of Fort Dodge and Jane Steffes of Des Moines; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; a sister Helen Kasparbauer of Manning; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Rita; two sons, Jim and Bob; his parents, Henry and Katie Steffes; three brothers and two sisters.

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