Philip Jacob "Jack" Steffler

Philip Jacob “Jack” Steffler, 84, longtime Moses Lake resident was taken all too soon from this world on July 25, 2008 at Samaritan Hospital in Moses Lake. He was surrounded by loved ones and his loving wife, Ora was at his side. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 30, 2008 at the Rose Street Chapel, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1036 W. Rose Street with Bishop Don Tucker conducting. Interment will follow at Pioneer Memorial Gardens. Family will greet friends at the funeral home on Tuesday evening from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and at the church on Wednesday from 9 a.m. until 9:45 a.m. Jack was born on March 15, 1924 in Devils Lake, North Dakota, the sixth of ten children of Frederick and Barbara (Duchscher) Steffler . He was raised in the rolling hills of Devils Lake, North Dakota. As a teenager he moved with his family to the Shelley, Idaho area. While finishing his schooling in Firth, Idaho he met the love of his life, Ora Ferl Dye. They were wed on November 22, 1942 in Basalt, Idaho at 18 years of age. They proudly brought their eldest son into the world in 1943. They later moved to Rockford, Idaho. Jack proudly entered the United States Army on January 19, 1944 and served as a machine gunner in the South Pacific. He served as a member of the 305th Infantry, 77th Division and beach headed on Okinawa Island. His experiences during WWII have been memorialized in the publication of “Footstep in the Sand”. While in service Jack received the WWII Victory Medal, Philippines Liberation Medal with Bronze Service Star, Combat Infantry Badge and was discharged as a Staff Sergeant. After being honorably discharged in January of 1946 he returned home to Southern Idaho where he and Ora continued raising a family and began farming. In the following 22 years Jack & Ora became the proud parents of nine children. Four sons and five daughters blessed the Steffler home. In 1968 the Steffler family rooted itself firmly in Moses Lake soil. Jack quickly became a pioneer in sand farming on Dodson Road. In his years as a farmer Jack ran for state senator, was on the board of the Washington State Potatoes Growers and was a partner in the development of Lucky 6 Farms. Jack Steffler was a devoted husband and wonderful father. In his time outside of farming Jack and his family took great pleasure in camping and fishing. Jack himself had multiple hobbies which included three-wheeling, woodworking and constructing remote control airplanes. In his later years he enjoyed bicycling with his wife and sharing with his family the multitude of memories throughout his life. Philip (Jack) Steffler will be forever remembered as a man of honor, integrity and kindness. He is preceded in death by son, Brian Steffler, granddaughter Keri Todaro, son-in-law Wedo Hernandez, son-in-law Alan Green, five brothers, Frederick, Johnny, Charlie, Martin and Edward and one sister, Barbara Hughes. Jack’s legacy will forever live on in his loving wife, Ora and surviving children: Gary & Verla Steffler, Paulette & Phil Rivera, Diane Hernandez, Sandra Green, Julia Steffler & Johnnie Batten, Jackie & John Sielaff, Philip Steffler & Paul Steffler. Twenty six grandchildren, thirty four great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren are also proud to be a part of the Steffler family. Two brothers, Donald and Robert and one sister, Theresa Asbell also survive.

Philip Jacob "Jack" Steffler

March 15, 1924 - July 25, 2008