Dale Stephen Steffensmeier, 78, of Keokuk, died Friday, October 3, 2014 at his home. He was born on January 10, 1936 in West point, IA, the oldest of 16 children, to Maurice and Regina Moeller Steffensmeier. On July 29, 1994, Dale was united in marriage to Norma Vermeesch Murphy in Ft. Madison, IA. She survives. Other survivors include two sons, Jeff (Kim) Steffensmeier of Anamosa, IA, and Steve Steffensmeier of Keokuk, two daughters, Angie (Marty) Fitzpatrick of Hazelton, IA and Michelle Dershem of Mesa, AZ, two step-daughters, Jeri (Art) Howard of Canton, MO, and Linda (Dave Jennings) Murphy of Maryville, IL, two step-sons, Dexter Murphy of Pensacola, FL and Mark (Sheila) Murphy of Washington, UT, sixteen grandchildren, eleven step-grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, six brothers, Dan (Pat) Steffensmeier of St. Paul, IA, Darrell (Abby) Steffensmeier of Boalsburg, PA, Larry (Joan) Steffensmeier of St. Paul, IA, Tom Steffensmeier of Panama City, FL, Howard (Jeanette) Steffensmeier of St. Paul, IA, and Jerry Steffensmeier of Iowa City, eight sisters, Sylvia(Leonard) Witting, Maureen (Melvin) Moeller, Linda (David) Brune and Judy (Paul) Scott all of West Point, IA, Jean (Don) Willadsen of Davenport, IA, Paulette (Frank) Schwartz of Bessemer, MI, Bonnie (John) Vanni of Boston, MA and Mari Steffensmeier of San Clemente, CA and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Barbara (Krogmeier) Steffensmeier and a son, Christopher, his parents and one brother Joe Steffensmeier. Dale graduated from St. James High School in St. Paul, IA. He was a member of the St. James Catholic Church in St. Paul, IA. He had been employed at McFarland-Swan Office Supplies in Keokuk as a service technician and retired in 2008 after twenty-six years of service Dale loved his vegetable garden and took pride in seeing how large his tomatoes and onions grew each season. He enjoyed working in his yard and kept it looking immaculate. After all his hard work he would relax on his deck and drink a cup of coffee. He enjoyed reading the paper and watching the news to keep up with all the local and national events. A Memorial Mass was held at 10 a.m., Monday, October 6th, 2014 at All Saints Catholic Church in Keokuk with Father Robert Lathrop officiating. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, the American Lung Association or Southeastern Renal Dialysis of Keokuk.