HELEN LEE (GREGORY) STEFFEN

Helen Lee (Gregory) Steffen died peacefully on December 29, 2023, at home surrounded by her three loving children.  She was born at home near her family farm, on November 19, 1939, in La Belle, Missouri to Inez Lee (Moore) and Sterling A Gregory. 

Helen Lee’s motto was “nice matters”; she embodied that spirit and taught it to those around her.

Left behind to celebrate her memory are her three children and their families.  Greg (Debi Weyer) Steffen, Dana (Terry) Dill and Lezlie (Jeff) Sirianni; nine grandchildren:  Sterling (Laura), Mandy (Josh), Nick (Elizabeth), TJ, Hannah (Robert), Audrey, Jordan (Iris), Mason and Stefan; and 6 great grandchildren:   Luna and Bella Rinlee, Harlow and Piper Helen Lee Perez, and Demah and William Luca; as well as many nieces and nephews, especially her devoted niece, Emilie Florea Rumble.

Helen Lee was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, William “Bill” Curtis Steffen; her parents, Sterling and Inez Moore Gregory; and sister, Linda Kay Gregory Pickett. 

A strong independent woman, born before her time, Helen Lee was raised on her family farm. She helped her parents in the field, with their animals, and in their garden. She would walk up to visit her grandparents and always wanted to live in the family brick house.  Helen Lee attended the Government School (K-5), La Belle School, and La Belle High School.  In high school she was a cheerleader, on the newspaper staff, in various plays, among other activities including 4H. She graduated in 1957 as the salutatorian. After high school, Helen Lee worked at various office jobs. 

Helen Lee married the love of her life, Bill on January 4, 1958.  Loyal and faithful, she followed and supported her husband as he served our country in the Army.  Helen Lee made a home wherever they were stationed: Washington State, Tulsa, Oklahoma, etc.   When Bill left the service they lived in Oklahoma, California and settled in Plano, Texas.  A dedicated wife, Helen Lee supported her husband, in all, of his endeavors.  She was recognized for the successes of her husband due to the support she gave Bill.  Helen Lee made a beautiful home with fond memories for her children and grandchildren.  She worked in their kids’ schools as a volunteer librarian, ran the library at their home church and was a Sunday School teacher.  She also championed her children and grandchildren in all their activities, academics, swimming, scouting, bluebirds, drama, dance, choir just to name a few….  Helen Lee had many hobbies including genealogy, gardening, reading, cooking, and canning.  She enjoyed hand work such as knitting, crocheting, cross-stitching and embroidery, she even made a few latch-hook rugs.  She also enjoyed decorating cakes.  Helen Lee made the best Angel Food cakes, which her children looked forward to on every birthday.  She even made them for the birth of several of her grandchildren to share with the nurses and doctors.

When Bill retired, Helen Lee finally made her way back to the family farm and they lived happily in their retirement at the place she truly knew as home.  When they returned to La Belle, Bill and Helen Lee supported local causes such as the Volunteer Fire Fighters, Train Depot renovation project, the Lewis County Republican Party, and she served on the church bereavement committee.

Helen Lee always looked forward to the Lewis County Fair, entering home cooked goods and garden treasures, like her mother.  When her grandchildren visited during the fair, she helped them with projects to enter as well.

A devoted Christian, Helen Lee’s favorite scripture was Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8

There is a time for everything,

    and a season for every activity under the heavens:

    a time to be born and a time to die,

    a time to plant and a time to uproot,

    a time to kill and a time to heal,

    a time to tear down and a time to build, 

    a time to weep and a time to laugh,

    a time to mourn and a time to dance,

    a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

    a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,

    a time to search and a time to give up,

    a time to keep and a time to throw away,

    a time to tear and a time to mend,

    a time to be silent and a time to speak,

    a time to love and a time to hate,

    a time for war and a time for peace.

 
Helen Lee leaves a legacy not only of her beloved family farm and the memories made there, but most of all that of love and kindness.

Helen Lee embodies this scripture Proverbs 31:25-30

She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.

She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:

“Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 6, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at the La Belle Christian Church, with Rev. Michael Brands officiating. Visitation will be at 10:00 until the time of the service in the church.  Pallbearers: Son: Greg Steffen; Grandsons: Nick Baird, Terry Dill, Jordan Sirianni, Mason Sirianni, Stefan Sirianni, Robert Perez. Honorary pallbearer: Sterling Steffen and Josh Rinlee.

Burial will be held immediately following in the La Belle Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Outreach International (Bethel, Mo) https://www.oionline.org/, LaBelle Christian Church, and the Gary Sinese Foundation. https://donate.garysinisefoundation.org/give/548711/#!/donation/checkout

Online condolences may be left at www.davis-fh.com