Sophie Ann Steven, age 79, of

Kiester, died Monday, Nov. 22, 2004, at Parkview Care Center in Wells.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 26, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Kiester. The Rev. Richard Steffen will officiate. Visitation will be held at Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, and one hour prior to services at the church on Friday. Interment will be at Our Savior’s Lutheran Cemetery in Kiester.

Sophie was born on Feb. 15, 1925, in Forest City, Iowa, the daughter of Lewis and Selma (Pederson) Shelwick. She was raised by her parents until her mother died when she was six, then lived with her grandmother until she became sick and died when Sophie was 11. She lived with aunts and uncles until she was 14 when she moved in with Glen and Alvina Pederson.

She graduated from Scarville High School in 1942 as Salutatorian. On Dec. 23, 1943, she married Walter Steven in Albert Lea. She enjoyed quilting, embroidery, latch hook, playing cards, fishing, making candles and baking. Sophie was an active member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, the WELCA, and Sarah Circle.

She is survived by her husband, Walter Steven of Kiester; three daughters: Sheryl (husband Richard) Engelby of Kiester, Beverly Charlson of Cuba City, Wis., Donna (husband Cubby) Butler of Woodruff, Wis.; two sons: Wayne Steven of Lawler, Iowa, and John (wife Linda) Steven of Alton, Iowa; 13 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; one brother, LeRoy (wife Eileen) Shelwick of Buena Vista, Ark.; three half-sisters: Shirley Windish of Largo, Fla., Lulu Haddemon of Largo, Fla., and Carol Willert of Waterloo, Iowa; one half-brother, Sharon Shelwick of Cleveland, Ohio; one stepsister, Stella Severson of Omaha, Neb.; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two grandsons: Eric Engelby and Isaac Steven; and one stepbrother, Sonny Johnson.