James C. Steffen, 93, of Dubuque, IA passed away peacefully on June 1, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm on Thursday, June 4, 2026 at Hoffmann Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home & Crematory, 3860 Asbury Road, Dubuque, IA 52002.

The Mass of Christian Burial for Jim will be at 10:30 am on Friday, June 5, 2026, at Church of the Resurrection, 4300 Asbury Road, Dubuque, IA 52002, with Father Phil Gibbs as the Celebrant. Burial will be at St. Francis Xavier Cemetery in Dyersville, IA. Full military honors will be rendered by Dyersville American Legion Post 137.

Jim was born on October 28, 1932, in Dyersville, IA to Michael and Hildegard (Goerdt) Steffen.

He graduated from Xavier High School, Dyersville, IA in 1950.  He received his BA from Iowa State Teachers College (now University of Northern Iowa) in 1957 and his MA from Colorado State College (now University of Northern Colorado) in 1960.  He also completed additional post-graduate courses at the University of Iowa, Drake University, University of South Dakota, George Peabody College and Northeast Missouri State University.

Jim began his career in education as a speech therapist in Garner, IA from 1957-1962 and then as a Guidance Counselor at East Buchanan High School in Winthrop, IA from 1962-1963. In 1963, his career as a Guidance Counselor brought him to Western Dubuque High School in Epworth, IA. While at Western Dubuque, Jim established lifelong friendships and served the district and students for thirty years until his retirement in 1993.

Jim served in the Army from 1953-1955 and was stationed in Karlsruhe, Germany during the Korean War.  He was a 50-year member of Dyersville American Legion Post 137, where he was a past-commander. Jim was also a member of New Vienna Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7737. Jim was privileged to be part of a group of World War II and Korean War veterans who traveled with the Honor Flight of Greater Dubuque VIII to Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, September 17, 2013. In his later years, Jim found great pleasure in spending time with his fellow veterans at the Dubuque Veterans Freedom Center.

Jim was a voracious reader and lifelong learner. He developed a wealth of knowledge of American and World History. He especially enjoyed collecting and reading books about the history of Dubuque, Dyersville and the surrounding area.  He was a true history buff with a special interest in the Civil War and World War II.

Above all, Jim’s steady presence, patience, sense of humor, loyal friendship and unconditional love for his family will be greatly missed.

Jim is survived by his children, Carol (Bill) Meyers of Waverly, IA; Mary (Bruce) Lammers of Dubuque, IA; Teresa (Scott) Burgmeier of East Dubuque, IL; and Jay (Molly) Steffen of Ankeny, IA; grandchildren, Emily (Josh) Wheatley, Abby (Adam) Portzen, Matthew (Reiny) Moore, Joshua (Rasy) Moore, Benjamin (Michella) Bartholomew, Jacob (Samantha) Bartholomew, Lucas (Autumn) Burgmeier, Michael Steffen and Samuel Steffen; step-grandchildren Teresa (Chad) Coons and Jake (Amy) Lammers; 16 great-grandchildren and 11 step-great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews and his former wife, Susan Steffen Ertl.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Howard Steffen, sisters and brother-in-laws, Eunice (Victor) Zalaznik, Bernice (Patrick) Dolan and Melaine (Andrew) Loesche, Special friend, Judy Weydert and angel great-granddaughter Delilah Ann Portzen.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Dubuque Veterans Freedom Center, Resurrection Catholic Church Dubuque, and Hospice of Dubuque.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the staff at Mercy Hospital, Grand Meadows, and Hospice of Dubuque for their care, kindness and support.

A photo tribute can be viewed and condolences sent to the family by visiting Jim’s obituary at www.hskfhcares.com.