Lucy Steen

Lucy Steen, 96, of Sibley, IA died Wednesday, March 3, 2010 at the Sibley Nursing and Rehab Center in Sibley. A visitation will be held Friday at the First Presbyterian Church of Sibley from 4-8PM, with the family present from 6:30-8PM. A funeral service will be held Saturday at 10AM at the First Presbyterian Church of Sibley with Rev. Terry Simm and Brian Schafer officiating. Interment will follow in Holman Township Cemetery of Sibley. The Steen family prefers memorials to Osceola Community Hospice or the First Presbyterian Church of Sibley. Lucy Elizabeth (Braaksma) Steen's life began on a farm near Platte, SD. Born December 28, 1913, she was eldest of five children blessed to August and Ietje (Vander Ploeg) Braaksma. During a portion of her childhood they farmed near Crookston, MN; years later she would still reminisce about how special those Crookston years were in her life. The Braaksma family eventually settled near Allendorf, IA. Following her mother's death from cancer, Lucy took over the responsibility of the family's household duties. She nearly raised the youngest member of the family, her sister Margaret; because of this the two sisters held a close bond throughout their lives. When Lucy was 24 her gleaming smile caught the eye of John Steen. They were married on February 15, 1939 at Bigelow, MN and began a life farming together. Lucy made sure they lived close enough so she could continue to look after her father and brothers and sister. Lucy and John were blessed with a son and daughter of their own. In 1954, they settled on a farm they purchased three miles southeast of Allendorf. Throughout her life Lucy worked hard performing household chores, raising chickens and helping John with milking and harvesting. She felt a sense of duty to have lunch and meals prepared for Johnny and those helping each day. Meat and potatoes were the items on Lucy's menu, along with homemade bread followed with canned peaches or a morning baked pie. Lucy and John farmed together until their retirement in 1979. Retirement presented an opportunity to travel with friends and family to Texas, Michigan and out West. In May of 1984, they moved from the farm to a home in Sibley where they began attending Dinner Date and Senior Citizen's activities regularly. Lucy was fortunate to develop close relationships with relatives and friends alike. Her caring nature and sense of humor made it easy to get to know her. Ever a calculating game player, she was hard to defeat when it came to Pinochle, Skip-Bo or Uno. John preceded Lucy in death on December 2, 2000. She reluctantly relocated to an apartment at Heartwood Heights in March of 2001. She soon admitted the move was the best thing she could have done. She so enjoyed mealtime, activities, playing games and visiting with her Heartwood Heights friends. She also looked forward to visits from fellow members of Sibley's First Presbyterian Church. Lucy is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, George and Judy Steen of Sibley; daughter and son-in-law, Idelle and Alan Vogel of Orange City; her six grandchildren: Chad (Jodi) Vogel of Sioux Center, Lu Ann (Alan) Gravenhof of Worthington, MN, Lorri Bristow of Worthington, MN, Leon Steen of Windom, MN, Eric (Sara) Beaver Vogel of DeWitt, MI, Lynette (Brandon) Ehret of Lake Park along with her twelve great grandchildren: Shelby and Dylan Gravenhof, David and Amanda Bristow, Zachary, Emily and Andrew "AJ" Steen, Jack and Ellee Vogel, Rylan and Kelsey Ehret and Charlie Vogel. Also surviving are two brothers and sisters-in-law: George and Johanna Braaksma of Sibley, Gerard (Gerrit) and Edna Braaksma of Sheldon; sister and brother-in-law, Margaret and John Ver Beek of Rock Rapids; sister-in-law, Anne Braaksma of Sibley and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband; her parents, stepmother, Tillie Braaksma and brother, Jake Braaksma, preceded Lucy in death. Online Condolences Betty Kellen Phoenix Relationship: niece Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this time of grief. I have such wonderful memories of going to Aunt Lucy and Uncle John's farm. Aunt Lucy always had that "Braaksma" smirk on her face and made the BEST brownies! May you find comfort in memories of her life. With love, Betty Braaksma Kellen Sent: 3/5/2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Anthony (Tony) C. Wells, CNA, Chpna Hartley Relationship: Direct Care Worker Thank You for sharing Lucy's life with us at Sibley Nursing and Rehab Center. As a Caregiver I can tell you Lucy will never be forgotten because of the knowledge gleaned from her Caregiving maybe used for another. Blessed Be..... Sent: 3/9/2010