Steffen, Betty Jean

Betty Jean Steffen, 75, of Cedar Rapids, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, Jan. 18, 2013, at Manor Care Health Services, Cedar Rapids. Private family services and burial will take place at a later date. Arrangements by Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Marion.

Survivors include her children, Kent (Cathleen) Gooch of Antlers, Okla., and Pamela (Kevin) Selk of Cedar Rapids; stepchildren, Sara (Bob) Drish of Palo, Robert (Jen) Steffen of Cedar Rapids, Timothy Steffen of Cedar Rapids and Teri (Chris) Keenan of North Liberty; 18 grandchildren, Andrew (Maria), Aaron, Victoria (Joey), Craig, Kami, Cody, Chad (Shandra), Kassidy, Maci, Libby, Kaya, Zoey, Rylee, Stella, Ava, Charlie, Lyla and McKenzie; two great-grandsons, Evan and Kayden; and one sister, Phyllis Franco of Smithville, Mo.

She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Craig Gooch; husband, Gary Steffen; and brother, Larry Bailey.

Betty Jean was born July 16, 1937, in Trimble, Mo., the daughter of Lester and Alice (Scobee) Bailey. She was first married to Guy Gooch and later married Gary Steffen, who passed in 2003. Betty Jean was the owner and operator of WordsPlus Office Support Centre in the Cedar Rapids Paramount Building for many years.

She was a very active member of the Cedar Rapids chapter of the Sweet Adelines. Betty Jean and Gary loved to dance and were well known for their “Steffen Stomp.”

The family would like to extend a warm thanks to the exceptional staff at both Manor Care Health Services and Evergeen II for their loving appreciation of Betty Jean's unique personality and for enjoying her presence.

In lieu of flowers, cards and memorials should be directed to the family.

Please sign the online guest book for Betty Jean at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.

Published Jan. 19, 2013 in The Gazette