Born in Detroit to Lawrence and Anna Steffes on Feb. 14, 1931, he entered the Missionaries of the Precious Blood in 1949 and was ordained in 1958.
Fr. Steffes was involved in parish ministry, teaching and administration through much of his life as a priest.
In Detroit, he served for a year early in his priesthood at his home parish of St. Anthony.
He went on to minister at schools in Ohio and California.
He became provincial director for the missionaries in 1974, before returning to hospital then parish ministry in California.
Fr. Steffes retired in 2003 in the provincial center in San Leandro, Calif.
He is survived by sisters Madelynn Myers, Thelma Shepherd and Rosalie Britten; brothers Howard and Lawrence; sister-in-law Elaine; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
He was predeceased by brothers Richard and Norman, and sister LaDoris Neumann.
His funeral Mass was Sept. 2 at St. Charles Center. Burial was to be in the community cemetery.
