Mary Anna Steffen, after eight valiant years with cancer, went to be with Jesus on December 10, 2021 at the age of 77 in Wheaton, Illinois.

She is survived by her husband, Wesley Steffen, of Wheaton, Illinois; her children, Philip (Jennifer) Steffen of Oswego, Illinois; Anita (Kevin) McKenna of Yorkville Illinois; and Mark (Jennifer) Steffen of Brookfield, Wisconsin. She was especially close to her grandchildren and she spent as much time as possible with them as they grew up: Rhyana Steffen of Oswego, Illinois; Ashley Steffen of Wheaton, Illinois; Janelle Steffen of Oswego, Illinois; and Ryan Steffen of Brookfield, Wisconsin. Claudia Olivia Gonzales, "adopted" daughter who lived with the family from the time she entered 6th grade until she successfully completed her college education. She was preceded in death by her brother, Hudson Moore, Jr.; her mother, Lithiel Moore (Dale); and her father, Hudson Moore, Sr.

Mary Anna was born in the city of Newport News, Virginia on July 17, 1944, and attended Emmaus Bible College in Oak Park, Illinois where she met Wesley Steffen. Wesley and Mary Anna were married April 16, 1965 and by June of 1965 they began their overseas missionary service in Caracas, Venezuela. In March of 1966, God called them to La Paz, Bolivia where they served as missionaries for over 20 years. After moving back to the United States, Mary Anna settled in Warrenville, Illinois where she was a homemaker for her children.

After her children were adults, she worked for Steward's Foundation as a receptionist/administrative assistant for the entire foundation. In 1998, Mary Anna began assisting Wesley in the family massage therapy business, Health Care, PRN, with administrative and accounting tasks allowing Wesley to focus more on his client work. Everyone who came in contact with her was blessed by her radiant personality, giving heart, and love of life.

Wes' thoughts - While at Emmaus Bible College watching a basketball game, I sat down alongside Mary Anna. There was a Coke bottle on the bench. She very casually said " You are not going to let a Coke bottle come between us, are you?" As a very shy 20 year old, I'm not sure what I said! While on a six month mission trip to Lima, Peru in 1964, I turned 21. We had been writing letters for four months. Mary Anna called me long distance international. That was when I told her the first time "I love you!" Over the last 57 years I have told her that many times.

What courage she had to have to say "yes" to a 21 year old on his way to South America to a different culture, language and people. It was her life's desire to keep eternal values in top priority: People and the Word of God!

Her beautiful, gentle and kind spirit was encouraged by her relationship with her 5 year younger brother who was disabled from birth. She always thought how she could say what she wanted to say in the most gentle and caring way. Each individual was important to her. Their names, the details of their life, their happinesses, their preoccupations, their cares, their worries, she was an excellent listener.

These last eight years have been a special gift from God. I have been privileged to use the skills God has given me in Bodywork to benefit Mary Anna weekly, even daily, through Structural NeuroMuscular Therapy, CranioSacral Therapy, Lymphatic Drainage Therapy, Myofascial Therapy, Microcurrent point Stimulation, and Massage.

As children of the King, we lived as transparently as we were given the strength and knowledge to do so, being observed by all.

What experiences we shared together!
Getting up early as our ship passed through the Panama Canal at daybreak.
Being with her as each one of our three children were born!
Doing the laundry and the dishes for her during these last eight years.
Listening as she shared with me what was happening in her body during these years of cancer treatment.
Accompanying her to all of her medical appointments.
Having one of the best chauffeurs as I gave up driving due to my impaired vision.
Being my eyes as she sorted through the emails
YES, we have lived our lives together!

The family especially would like to thank Dr. Barbara Buttin and the many others at Northwestern Medicine for the wonderful care they gave to Mary Anna. A huge thank you to all that have already reached out expressing their love for Mary Anna and the family.

A visitation will be held Friday, December 17, 2021 from 3:00pm -8:00pm at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St., Wheaton, IL. A funeral service will be held Monday, December 20, 2021 at 10:00am at College Church, 332 E. Seminary Ave., Wheaton, IL 60187. Interment will be held at Assumption Cemetery following the services. A livestream of the funeral service will be available here: Funeral Service and a livestream of the graveside service will be available here: Graveside Service

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Emmaus Worldwide, P.O. Box 1028, Dubuque, IA 52004 https://emmausworldwide.org/pages/donateglobal (Please select "In Memory Of" and enter Mary Anna Steffen/Emmaus Bolivia), or in Mary Anna's name, STARS Family Services, P.O. Box 1388, Wheaton, IL 60187, starsfamilyservices.org