On December 27, 2015, God took Harland’s hand and led him home.
Harland was born August 30, 1937 to Grace (Gutoski) and John Steffen of Hortonville, WI. After graduating high school in Hortonville, Harland joined the Navy, serving two years on the USS Macon, stationed out of Boston, Mass. While there, Harland married Pauline (Polley) at Chealsea Naval Base Chapel on January 23, 1958. Following his discharge, Harland and Peggy made their home in New London, where they raised Harland’s pride and joy, five children. Prior to graduating high school, Harland worked alongside his father at Steffen Elevator in Dale. After returning from the Navy, Harland resumed working with his father until he began at Curwood in January of 1960, where he worked for 39 years. After his retirement, he enjoyed working in his yard, feeding the birds, doing woodworking projects, and helping out his children with their never-ending home projects.
Harland is survived by his wife, Pauline of 57 years; their five children, Andrea (David) Vanden Heuvel, Mary (Mark ) Kleist, Michael Steffen, Anthony (Michelle) Steffen, Elizabeth (Richard) Stroesenreuther; grandchildren, Adam (Kaitlyn) Kleist, Ashley (Andrew) Webb, Brennan, Lauren and Caitlin Stroesenreuther, Payton Steffen; great-grandchildren, Olivia, Nora and Eva Webb; brothers, James (Laurie) Steffen, Joel (Susan) Steffen; sisters-in-law, Joan Polley, Jillane Borman, Roseann Polley, Dorothy (Joseph) Marzolf and brother-in-law, James (Linda) Polley. Harland was preceded in death by his parents, John and Grace Steffen; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Thomas and Dorothy Polley; a grandson, Nathan Stroesenreuther; brothers-in-law, James Borman, Richard Polley and Dan Polley.
A Mass of Christian burial will be at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 31, 2015 at Most Precious Blood Catholic Church in New London. Visitation will be on Wednesday, December 30, 2015 from 4-7 p.m. at Cline and Hanson Funeral Home in New London and again on Thursday from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the church. Fr. Robert Groher will be officiating and burial will be in Most Precious Blood Cemetery, New London.
The family would like to thank all of Harland’s doctors along with the Theda Care Hospice staff for all the comfort and compassion they showed Harland and the support they gave his family.
The Cline and Hanson Funeral Home in New London is serving the family. www.clineandhansonfuneralhome.com