Obituary of Ernest Melvin Steffensen

We are saddened to announce the passing of our beloved father, grandfather and brother at Holy Family Home on May 29, 2022 at the age of 89 years. Ernest is survived by his two children Alan Steffensen (Dolores) and Judy Ridley (Charles); three grandchildren Lucas, Nicholas and Sarah; brothers Raymond (Norma) and George; and sister-in-law Marilyn. Ernest is predeceased by wife of 39 years, Joyce in 1999; his parents Sigurd and Hilda; brothers John (Ruth), Harold (Leni) and Robert; and special friend Kay in 2018. Born August 3, 1932 in Winnipeg to Norwegian parents Sigurd and Hilda, who immigrated to Manitoba in the late 1920’s. The family moved from Winnipeg to Whitemouth 1935. This is where he met his wife Joyce. In his early years, he went to school and helped on the farm. In the early 1950’s, he started working heavy construction helping building dams at McArthur Falls, White Dog Falls and Seven Sisters Falls, among others. In 1957, Ernest moved to back to Winnipeg to drive cement trucks. He started working as a custodian for the Winnipeg School Division in 1967, where he retired in 1992 after 25 years. Ernest built a house in St. Anne, Manitoba where they lived until Joyce’s death in 1999. He loved camping, the outdoors, fishing, late night card games and enjoyed many trips with his brothers and their families. He also loved wood working, making furniture and lamps, jigsaw puzzles, curling and most especially, socializing with family and friends. He spent many weekends spent on the farm growing a garden for winter storage. In accordance with his wishes, cremation has taken place. There will be a private family interment at Brookside Cemetery.