Elaine D. Steffen

Elaine Dorothea Steffen, 89, passed away too quickly on December 27, 2024, in Hillsboro Medical Center. She was born August 20, 1935, to Doris and Henry Steffen. She grew up in Blanchard with five brothers and one sister. She was in the process of moving her residency back to Hillsboro from Denver, Colorado, where she had lived the majority of her life after graduation from Hillsboro High School. She loved Denver but wanted to return to her home state and family.

Elaine loved life! She loved a good story or joke. Her laugh was contagious. She loved people and family was especially important to her. She made sure she traveled back to Hillsboro at least twice a year, summer and Christmas. And she loved to have company in Denver. When people stayed with her, she never hesitated to give up her bed and sleep on the couch. She enjoyed making fabulous meals for her guests. Elaine visited the well-known sites of Denver with her visitors, never complaining about the number of times she had already been there. A great hostess!

When Elaine wasn’t entertaining, she spent time knitting, searching for new recipes, or sometimes going to the casino to play the slots. She also loved to dance, especially the polka. Helping other people also took up her time: driving them to doctor appointments, providing meals and company.

Elaine worked as an executive administrative assistant to four different chairmen of the Department of Psychiatry and the superintendent of the Colorado Health Service Center. After 35 years of service, she was the recipient of the Governors’ Award for Peak Performance in State Government. As office liaison for many programs, she proved to be an efficient problem solver and positive advocate for many programs at the Mental Health Division and the Department of Corrections. Under her assistance, many of the programs were expanded and became nationally recognized. After the award, she continued her work there for seven more years when she retired with 42 years of service. She was exceptional at her job as well as being liked and admired by her employers and coworkers. While Elaine never married, she had a huge and loving family.

She is survived by her sister, Majorie Riemer of Hillsboro, ND; brothers, Willard Steffen of Fergus Falls, MN and Robert Steffen (Susan) of Dayton, MN; sisters-in-law, JoAnne Steffen of Fargo, ND, and Sharon Steffen of Grand Forks, ND; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by three brothers, Raymond Steffen, Walter Steffen and Elroy Steffen; brother-in-law, Donald Riemer; sisters-in-law, Georgia Steffen and Carolyn Steffen.

Elaine was very appropriately named. From the Greek root it means “Light”. It also goes on to say those named Elaine means an individual who is very likable and original. All who know her love her. She likes the joy of sharing and giving and enjoys the testing of her mind. She is graceful and charming is respected and admired by others. She definitely was given the appropriate name.

Elaine will be missed by so many because of the lives she touched. Her laughter will be remembered.