Obituaries : Frances Steffen; Teacher, Volunteer

Frances Steffen, a Ventura County resident for 50 years, died Friday after a long illness. She was 83.

Remembered fondly by friends and members of her church as a compassionate volunteer, Steffen spent 20 years as an elementary and middle-school teacher for the Port Hueneme School District.

Upon retirement, she volunteered at her place of worship, Trinity Lutheran Church in Santa Paula, where she translated books into Braille and packaged literature for missionaries in more than 120 countries.

“She was a very kind, very gentle and faithful person,” said Pastor Lenard Galster of Trinity Lutheran. “She was so supportive and always so upbeat.”

In addition to her work for the church, Steffen donated her time to the Meals on Wheels program and traveled extensively in Europe.

In her spare time, the Fillmore resident doted on her rose garden, said her friend Esther Jordan. Every Sunday, Steffen would bring in bouquets to decorate the church.

“She just loved gardening and she had such beautiful roses,” Jordan said. “We’re going to miss her and the flowers.”

Steffen, whose husband died several years ago, had no children.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, at the Skillin-Carroll Chapel, 600 Central Ave., in Fillmore.