Bert Steffen

Long-time business owner Bert Paul Steffen, 83 Devils Lake, ND, died Friday February 4^th, 2022 at his home surrounded by his loving family. 

Visitation will be on Thursday, February 10, 2022 at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 7:00 p.m.  Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, February 11^th at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Parish Center, Devils Lake with the Very Reverend C.F. Wilhelm celebrating the Mass.  Burial and Military Honors will be in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery.

Bert was born September 18, 1938 to Andrew and Frances (Kuntz) Steffen in Devils Lake, ND. He attended school at St Mary’s Academy in Devils Lake.  In 1958, Bert enlisted in the Army National Guard.  He was honorably discharged in 1960.

In the summer of 1958 he met the love of his life Grace Hettwer. They married in the fall of 1959 and made their home in Devils Lake where they raised their three daughters.

Bert was employed by Boehmer’s Service Station, then for Young’s Auto Parts before taking over the management position for Kerr McKee Gas Station.  In 1972, Bert and Grace had the opportunity to purchase the gas station and it later became known as Bert’s Deep Rock.  It is still in operation today by his son-in-law Kevin Becker.  He was a proud business owner and worked many hours to establish his business.  Bert retired in 2002 after 30 years of service to many people in our Lake Region area.  Even though he was retired you would still see him driving down the road in his wrecker going to help someone in need. We truly have lost one of the best!

Bert loved to take his family on camping trips, out boating and taking his girls on Sunday drives in his old restored model T.  Many years were spent as a family on Sundays at the Woodland Resort, grilling, boating, relaxing and enjoying his grandchildren.  Bert was a self-taught man who could fix anything.  He loved playing pinochle and racehorse and spent many hours with his family during the holidays playing cards. Along with his beautiful wife of 62 years, Bert’s girls, grandchildren and great grandchildren meant the world to him.

Bert was a faithful member of St Joseph’s Catholic Church and rarely missed a weekly church service.  He loved God and his faith.  In his lifetime, he was a member of the Eagles Club, the Elks Club and was a 3^rd Degree Honorary member of the Knights of Columbus.

He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years Grace, daughters Luanne (Kyle) Krein, Marilyn (Jim) LaMotte, and Cheryl (Kevin) Becker. His grandchildren Jarrod Ramsey, Erin Doyle (Nestor), Kirsten (Mike) Scott, Kaylin Krein (Adam fiancé), Brett (Lauren) Becker, Breanna Becker, Brady LaMotte (Katelyn fiancé) and Mariah LaMotte (Melissa) and great grandsons Austin Bicker, Asher Doyle, Avery Becker and Alexander Scott. His sisters Barbara Samek and Anna (Harvey) Hettwer, brother-in-law Bernhard Eback, many dear nieces, nephews and their families.

Bert is preceded in death by his parents Andrew and Frances, father and mother-in-law Nick and Clara Hettwer, brother Louie, sisters Theresia Eback and Clara Jane, brother-in-law Bernard (Bernie) Samek and sister-in-law Leodina (Lee) Steffen.

We will love you forever and forever you will be in our hearts our dear beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.