Earl Steffes

Earl Steffes, 94, of Smithville, MO passed away, February 11, 2023.

He was born on August 26, 1928 at home to Fred and Rose (King) Steffes in Wien, MO, where he grew up on the family farm. He decided at a young age that farm life was not for him.

Earl graduated from Bucklin High School at age 16. After graduation, he moved to Kansas City and worked at a bank.

He served his country in the U.S. Army as a paratrooper. After his honorable discharge he married Leora Little in 1948 while residing in Kansas City. Earl went to electronics school and started his business, Steffes TV as a repairman. At age 49 he went back to college and earned his PhD in psychology with a 3.82 grade point average while working full time. He worked as a psychologist for a few years. Earl later worked at Uni-Gard until age 84.

Earl loved reading and learning. He was quite a musician and could play many instruments including guitar, violin, and any wind instruments.

After a near death experience, he lived the last 8 years with Andy and Debbie. They are saints and nobody could or would have cared for him as they did.

Earl was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Leora; brother, Cletus Steffes; and sister, Marcella Canning.

He is survived by his nine children, Deborah (Andrew) Swearingin; Carol (Randy) Burton, Patricia (Don) Finks, Dennis (Nancy) Steffes, Joyce (Dennis) Ronnau, Beverly McDonald, Bryan (Debra) Steffes, Karen (Todd) Ruff, Virginia (Monty) Prather; twenty-one grandchildren, twenty-eight great-grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews, other relatives, and many friends.

Mass of Christian Burial: 11:00 a.m. Wednesday February 15th at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 18601 N Hwy 169 Smithville, MO with visitation one hour prior to the service.

Burial with Military Honors: Mt. Olivet Cemetery, 7601 Blue Ridge Blvd, Kansas City, MO64138.

Arrangements, Hixson-Klein Funeral Home, Smithville.