Ms. Elli Steffan

Elli Steffan passed away at Rio Grande Regional Hospital in McAllen, TX on December 1, 2011 at 8:08 p.m. after succumbing to a brief illness. Elli was born August 8, 1936 in Schontal, Poland to the late Emilie Kruger and Heinrich Henschel as the eldest of three children. After World War II, the Henschel family moved to Germany, where Elli’s siblings and extended family still resides. Ellie had the opportunity to move to Canada at the young age of 17, and this is where she met the love of her life, Edward Steffan. They were married on September 5, 1956 and moved to the United States of America, where they proudly became naturalized US Citizens. After traveling across the country, they ended up in Castro Valley, California where they lived for several years. This is also where their two children, Renee Rebecca Steffan and Edward Roy Steffan were born. Elli’s life was one of great adventure, traveling the world and living in different states and countries over the years. This life was one filled with many friendships, laughter and love. Eventually Elli and Edward settled in Aladdin Villas in Mission, TX to enjoy their retirement. Elli led an active lifestyle and enjoyed making beautiful art out of Stained Glass, Ceramics, Painting, and Hardanger. Elli walked almost every day in addition to exercising every morning and many afternoons with her friends. One of Elli’s proud accomplishments was logging over 2,000 miles in one year at the age of 74. Her friends and family admired her tenacity and discipline. Elli was preceded in death by her parents, Heinrich Henschel and Emilie Kruger and her husband Edward Steffan. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Edward and Margo Steffan of Bryan, TX, daughter and son-in-law Renee R. Steffan and Daniel Sinclair of Sugar Land, TX. She is also survived by 7 grandchildren, Leilani Steffan, Sarah Steffan, Heather Steffan, Edward Steffan, Hannah Steffan, Austin Sinclair and Hayden Sinclair, as well as 5 great-grandchildren. In addition she is survived by her sister and brother-in-law Erika and Hans Rosenbaum, brother and sister-in-law Oskar and Marianne Henschel, nieces Evelyn, Miriam, and nephew Ingo along with their extended families. The family would like to especially thank the wonderful, caring dear friends in Aladdin Villas. A particularly special thank you goes to Pat Dobarro, Sharon Rost, Mary and Alan Lester, Jerry Gravitt and Digna Huddleston for helping us cope during this very difficult time. A special thank you also goes out to the many nurses at Rio Grande Regional Hospital who provided gentle care to Elli as she struggled with her illness. Thank you also to the caring Doctors who visited Elli and her family at the hospital on a daily basis and showed genuine compassion and humanity to both Elli and her children – Dr. Monique Popek, Dr. Prakash Palimar, Dr. Leonardo Salcedo, and Dr. Joseph Litam. Visitation will be held on Saturday, December 10, 2011 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m with a Celebration of Life Service at 10:30a.m. at Virgil Wilson Memorial Chapel in Mission located at 2200 N. Conway Ave., Mission, TX Concluding the Service, a reception will be held at the Hacienda Room in Aladdin Villas starting from 12:00-2:00 p.m. You are invited to sign the online guest book at www.virgilwilsonmortuary.com Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Virgil Wilson Mortuary of Mission.

Ms. Elli Steffan

August 5, 1936 - December 1, 2011