Wayne Arthur Steffen July 30, 1933 - January 13, 2021

Wayne Arthur Steffen was born July 30, 1933 in Silverton, Oregon to Dan and Linda Leisy Steffen. The second youngest of seven children Wayne grew up on his family's farm near Central Howell. Wayne graduated Silverton High School in 1951, where he was active in FFA. After turning 18 Wayne was drafted into the Army in 1953. He served in Korea as a rifleman, truck driver and wrecker operator.

Soon after returning home, in 1955, Wayne met Doryce DeVries. Wayne and Doryce were married 14 months later at the First Methodist Church in Salem on April 5, 1957.  In 1958, they built a home on their farm on Silverton Road where they produced grain, hay and strawberries.  Together Wayne and Doryce raised four children. At the time of his death Wayne and Doryce had been married 63 years.

On April 22, 1967 Wayne's life changed overnight when a large tractor tire fell on him, leaving him paralyzed. What would have stopped many in their tracks physically and mentally, only deepened Wayne's faith in the Lord and his passion to live life.  Despite his injuries, Wayne continued to farm for another 26 years until he retired in 1996.

Wayne enjoyed many hobbies including fishing, hunting and photography. He and Doryce blessed their grandchildren with many camping trips around Oregon.  Wayne also enjoyed traveling and he and Doryce took many trips together from Alaska to Florida, the Panama Canal to Europe.  In retirement, Wayne enjoyed spending winters in Sky Valley, CA playing shuffleboard and feeding the local fish and birds.

Wayne is preceded in death by his parents and sisters Phyllis Pilcher, Rita Sparks, Joyce Dickenson and brothers Donald and Ralph Steffen. Wayne is survived by his wife Doryce Steffen, daughters Lori (Kevin) Loe, Carol (Greg) Wilson, sons Randy (Laurie) Steffen and Rick Steffen, 9 grandchildren, and 19 great grandchildren.  His brother Stan (Ruth) Steffen also survives him.

Visitation will be Tuesday, January 26 from 4pm-8pm at Unger Funeral Chapel – Silverton, Oregon. Funeral Service will be 2pm, Wednesday, January 27 at Emmanuel Bible Church. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Emmanuel Bible Church Mission Fund or Building fund.