Alvin “Snuffy” Steffenhagen, 85, of Merrill, passed away on Saturday, December 10, 2016 at his home while under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care & Hospice, and surrounded by his loving family. He was born on May 27, 1931 in Merrill to the late Albert and Elsie (Hartwig) Steffenhagen. He married Bernette Barkow on September 1, 1956 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Athens, WI. She survives.
Alvin was a self-employed dairy farmer for 23 years. For many years he was a Quality Controller for Pine River Dairy Cooperative and Golden Guernsey Dairy, retiring in 1993 at the age of 62. He was a maintenance worker for the Town of Berlin for 35 years and retired at the age of 80. He served 2 years in the Korean Conflict. He was greatly involved in organizing the Mar-Lin VFW Post 10203 of which he was a life member and held many positions over the years. One of the highlights of his life was to be able to go on the Never Forgotten Honor Flight in 2013, accompanied by his daughter, Dawn.
Alvin enjoyed woodworking, going to polka dances, day long road trips, going out to eat, yard work and watching sports on TV, especially baseball. He collected die-cast International tractors (which were his favorite) and has approximately 100 in his collection. Alvin meticulously manicured his lawn and was very proud of his yard. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, great-granddaughters and friends.
Survivors of Alvin are his beloved wife of 60 years; Bernette; daughter: Dawn Teske, Merrill; grandsons: Joshua (Casi) Teske, Wausau, and Tyler (Jessica) Teske, Merrill; two great-granddaughters; Brooklyn and Brianne; one brother; Lowell (Marie) Steffenhagen, Merrill; one sister-in-law; Barbara Steffenhagen, Spencer. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a son-in-law, David Teske and a brother, Charles Steffenhagen.
Funeral Services for Alvin will be held on Thursday, December 15, 2015 at 1 PM at Trinity Lutheran Church. Rev. Scott Gustafson will officiate. Visitation will be from 9 AM until the time of service also at the church. Burial will follow in St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery, Naugart. Military honors will be performed at the church by Mar-Lin Post 10203, following the service. Serving as pall bearers will be Jon Steffenhagen, Warren Steffenhagen, Brian Barkow, Todd Barkow, James Badeau and Wayne Teske. Serving as honorary pall bearers will be the Mar-Lin VFW Post 10203. The family would like to thank Dr. Peterson, Dr. Barton and the rest of the staff at the Aspirus Cancer Center in Wausau for their care, as well as Rachel Paulson from Aspirus Comfort Care & Hospice Services for her care and support. Memorials may be given to the Trinity Lutheran Church in Merrill or the Aspirus Cancer Center in Wausau. Waid Funeral Home of Merrill is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.waidfuneral.com.