Raphael James 'RJ' Steffes

POLSON — Raphael James "RJ" Steffes, 83, of Polson died of natural causes at his home on Saturday, Feb. 19, 2005.

He was born on May 20, 1921, at Timber Lake, S.D., to Rose (Doonan) and Joseph Steffes. He graduated from the eighth grade and completed an agriculture short course at Montana State College. He was inducted into the Army on July 10, 1942, fighting in World War II. He served in the New Guinea and the New Britain campaigns, for which he received the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon, the Combat Infantry Badge and two Bronze Campaign Stars. He was discharged on Jan. 8, 1945.

He married Cora Lila Madsen on Nov. 17, 1945, in St. John's Catholic Church in Baker. RJ spent most of his life ranching and later as a cattle buyer and doing horseshoeing.

He was a 4H leader, member and commander of the VFW, member of the American Legion, and a member and commander of the D.A.V.

He enjoyed metal crafts, square dancing, hunting and fishing, watching high school sports, and rodeos and having horses.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Rose, brothers William, Bernard, Leo, and sisters Carol, Gertrude and Marie.

RJ is survived by his wife Cora Lila; sons Michael Steffes of Stevens Point, Wisc., and David (Arlinda) Steffes of Ronan; sisters Margaret "Marky" Gapp of Aberdeen, S.D.; brothers, Lawrence (Dorothy) Steffes of Plevna, Francis (Tillie) of Lewiston, Idaho, Joe (Molly) Steffes of Billings; grandchildren Eric (Nona) Steffes of Enumclaw, Wash., granddaughter Amber of Portland, Ore.; great-granddaughter Kayla; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were Feb. 23 in the Grogan Funereal Home with Jody Durham officiating. Interment with military honors followed at Lakeview Cemetery.