- Date Of Birth: December 2, 1928
- Date Of Death: July 12, 2009
- State: Iowa
Doris Steffes Mader, the daughter of John and Ann (Halbur) Steffes was born December 2, 1928, in Roselle, Iowa, where she was raised and received her education. On September 12, 1950, she was united in marriage with Frank Mader in Roselle, Iowa where the couple lived until they bought their farm near West Bend in 1957. Frank and Doris spent the next 36 years tending to their farm and raising a large family. Music, gardening, and quilting were a part of everyday life for Doris. She was frequently found in the kitchen baking her famous bread, pies, and cinnamon rolls, many times whistling while she worked. In later years, her love for flowers and plants began to grow when Doris turned her hobby into a thriving business opening Maders Country Greenhouse in 1974. Doris will be remembered for sewing memories into the many quilts, pillows, sundresses, and doll clothes that she made for her 40 grandchildren. They will always cherish the memories of going to Grandma’s house to plant flowers and make apple cider. In 1993, Frank and Doris retired and moved to town. Doris continued to work at the Grotto of the Redemption, the West Bend Care Center, and The Villager for several years. In recent years, Frank and Doris could be seen taking a Sunday drive in their fully restored 1949 Studebaker. People in town will remember her colorful flowers and vegetable garden, which she shared with many. Survivors include her husband Frank of West Bend; her children: Dave (Joyce) Mader of Cedar Falls, IA; Bill (Michelle) Mader of Fort Dodge, IA; Mike Kohlhaas, son-in-law of West Bend, IA; Marlene (Tom) Sievers of Storm Lake, IA; Millie (Pat) Madsen of West Bend, IA; Tom (Christy) Mader of West Bend, IA; Rick (Julie) Mader of Mount Vernon, IN; Jane Kassel of Phoenix, AZ; Ron (Mary) Mader of Mallard, IA; Ann (Matt) Wittrock of Humboldt, IA; and Donna (Perry) Brown of Belmond, IA; 40 grandchildren, one great grandchild, brothers and sisters: Sister Marcella Steffes, Roman and Arlene Steffes, LuVerne Steffes, Norma and Fred Gosch, Lorraine and Joe Vogl, Arlene and Melvin Meier, Robert and Radka Steffes, Marian Pickhinke, and Carol and Don Mader. Doris was a member of Sts. Peter and Paul’s Catholic Church, the CD of A, and Ladies Aid. as well as the American Legion Auxiliary. She was preceded in death by her parents and her daughter Diane Kohlhaas.
