Sally Steffens

Born June 23, 1941, in Carbondale, Illinois to Theda and Bill Lipe, Sally was the oldest of four sisters including Judy, Jane and Becky. She raised four children, Nathan, Susanna, Gregory and Benjamin.

Sally is survived by son Nathan (Amy) Steffens and daughter Susanna (Bill) Wallace, sister Becky (Mike) Estel, fourteen grandchildren, three great grandchildren, special friends Sha’Ron and the Edwards sisters, and her canine companion Schnickelfritz. She was especially close to her niece, Bridgett Estel (Gary) Costanzo, who was invaluable to Sally and her children in her later years.

Sally’s faith guided her life. As a preteen she was diagnosed with epilepsy, which at the time excluded her from many activities. From a young age she desired to be a missionary. During her years in college, she learned that due to her epilepsy she would not be allowed to serve in the mission fields. However, her “mission” served many in her everyday life. Sally completed her bachelor’s degree in education from Union University and her master’s degree in special education from Southeast Missouri State University in 1978. In 1988 Sally enrolled in the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, for a PhD in Special Education with an emphasis on corrections. Like her mother, she was a life-long teacher both in and out of the classroom.

As one of Theda’s daughters, Sally held strong beliefs, standards, and opinions. Sally was fiercely independent. Her cleverness and wit brought joy to her family and friends. Sally made dear friends everywhere she went!

Sally never gave up on her children or anyone she loved. A longtime member of Al-Anon, she learned to let go of feeling like she had to fix everyone. She was active in every community she lived in and taught her kids to be involved as well. Her heart was with the disadvantaged and underserved. The color of someone’s skin, their religion, ethnicity, or sexuality was of no concern to her.

Her many talents included playing several instruments, writing poetry, and crochet. After her sister Becky survived cancer, Sally donated crocheted hats for many years. Her daughter once said Sally could “crochet a house!” Sally’s green thumb and love of plants were evident in her home, and she ran the greenhouse doing vocational education at Menard Correctional Center for years. As a kid, Sally loved to spend time with her father in his workshop or on the farm and she could build or fix an impressive assortment of issues with construction or appliances.

Sally spent her last year at Heritage Center in Evansville IN where she was treated with respect and kindness. She was preceded in death by both parents, twin sisters Judy and Jane, children Gregory and Benjamin, and grandson Austin.

Visitation will be from 9:30-11:30am on December 5, 2025 at Alexander Funeral Home – North Chapel in Evansville, IN with a memorial service immediately following.

In lieu of flowers please donate to a domestic violence shelter or Chemo Buddies of Evansville, IN.

Condolences may be made online at www.AlexanderNorthChapel.com.