Phyllis Mary Ann (Denning) Steffensmeier, 92, of the Houghton area, passed away on Friday, August 28, 2026.
She was born on February 14, 1934, in Houghton, Iowa, the fifth child of Joe and Nellie (Freesmeier) Denning. She graduated from St. John's High School in Houghton and was a lifelong resident of the Houghton area. On September 4, 1954, she married R. Paul Steffensmeier.
Survivors include her children: Penny (Larry) Walter of Shawnee, Kansas, Rus (Bev) Steffensmeier of Houghton, Iowa, Rhonda Peseau of Arlington, Washington and Ritch (Amy) Steffensmeier of Prairie Village, Kansas; eleven grandchildren: Kurt (Hallie) Steffensmeier, Bobbi (Ryan) Kruse, Karla (Lynn) Williams, Austin (Tiffany) Walter, Russell Walter, Allison Walter, Hannah (Ilya) Glazunov, Will Peseau, Jade (Daniel) Johnson, Halle Steffensmeier and Breck Steffensmeier; ten great-grandchildren and one sister: Sr. Jane Denning.
She was preceded in death by her husband: Paul; her daughter: Pam; one son at birth; her parents: Joe and Nellie Denning; her brothers: Fr. Jack Denning, Jim Denning and her sisters: Ruth Mertens and LaVerne Coffey.
Phyllis was deeply rooted in the community she loved throughout her life. Her faith, family and friendships were at the center of everything she did. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother whose kindness, generosity and quiet strength touched all who knew her.
She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends and especially enjoyed playing cards. Her warm smile, caring nature and unwavering devotion to her family will be remembered and cherished by all whose lives she touched.
Her body has been entrusted to the crematory of Schmitz Funeral Home for cremation.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 p.m. Sunday, September 27, 2026, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church with Father Dan Dorau as celebrant.
Burial will be held at St. John's Cemetery in Houghton. A luncheon will follow.
Memorials have been established in her memory for Holy Trinity Catholic Schools or Houghton Fire and Rescue.
Schmitz Funeral Home of West Point is assisting the family with arrangements.