Donald Steffensen

Donald Dean Steffensen, age 61, died suddenly on March 19, 2009. Don was born November 14, 1947 to Herloff and Edith (Anderson) Steffensen in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The family later moved to Tacoma, Washington.  Don attended Gray’s Middle School and Mount Tahoma High School in Tacoma, graduating in 1965. He was drafted into the Army in 1967, serving two years before being honorably discharged.  Don began working in construction before taking a job with Puget Sound Casket Company in January, 1974 as a driver, and where he also trimmed and painted caskets. He later became its plant manager. Don remained while the company was sold to York Group, and later to Matthews International and finally to Terry Porter, who renamed it A.J. Distribution/York Caskets. All in all, Don worked in the casket industry for 34 years. He came to enjoy the last two years, choosing to go back to delivering caskets once again for the company.  Don is preceded in death by his father, Herloff Hartvig Steffensen. His is survived by his wife of 20 years, Jewell Steffensen; son, Dan Steffensen and daughter, Sunni Steffensen, both of Tacoma, Washington. His is also survived by his two stepdaughters, Janice and Jennifer Sanchez of Honolulu, Hawaii; six grandchildren – Anthony, Makoa, Marianna, and Rafaelle Sanchez, Anisa Raglund and Kona Comwell, all from Honolulu and two step-grandchildren – Anthony and Jonathan Dixon. Don is also survived by his mother, Edith Steffensen of San Diego, California; sisters Dana (Ed) Gustine of San Diego and Dora Gunther of Provo, Utah.  A viewing and time of reflection will be held on Tuesday, March 24, 2009 from 6-9pm with a memorial tribute on Wednesday, March 25, 11am, both at Rill’s Life Tribute Center, located at 1151 Mitchell Avenue in Port Orchard, Washington, followed by a reception. Interment will be at Mountain View Memorial Park in Tacoma. Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association or another charity of choice.