Diane Karen Steffan

Diane was born in Cleveland, Ohio on April 18,1943. After high school she attended and graduated from Valparaiso University in Indiana with a degree in Elementary Education. It was there that she met the love of her love, Gene. They married in 1967, moved to Chicago and eventually relocated to Fort Myers Beach, Florida where they created Palm Grove Marina. At retirement, they were able to sell the marina and travel via motorhome across the country for a few years before Gene passed away in 2002. After that she enjoyed traveling with family and her friends all over the world. She loved to read, watch Nascar races and attending concerts. Family was the most important thing to her and even though she only had 2 children, she accumulated numerous "strays" that became her kids. She was also Team Mom/Scorekeeper for Debbie's Softball team.

Diane Steffan, age 82, beloved mother, grandmother, sister and aunt, was welcomed into her Savior’s kingdom on Saturday July 5, 2025 at her daughter’s home with her family by her side. Diane was born in Cleveland, Ohio on April 18,1943. After high school she attended and graduated from Valparaiso University in Indiana with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. It was there that Diane met the love of her life, Gene. They married in 1967, moved to Chicago and eventually relocated to Fort Myers Beach, Florida where they founded Palm Grove Marina. At retirement, they were able to sell the marina and travel via motorhome across the country for a few years before Gene passed away in 2002. After that, Diane enjoyed traveling all over the world with family and friends. She loved to read, watch Nascar races and attend concerts. Debbie and Rob enjoyed having her participate in their lives. If there was a party to be had, she was there and she could hang with everyone.

Family was the most important thing to her and even though Diane only had two children, she welcomed numerous “wandering waifs” into her life whom she loved and took under her wing. She always became a second mom to her children’s friends. Diane was also Team Mom/Scorekeeper for Debbie’s Softball team.

Diane’s memory will live on through her children: Deborah Solloway (Husband Jack) of Fort Myers, Fl and Robert Steffan (Fiancee’ Anna) of North Fort Myers, FL; Grandchildren: Amanda Steffan, Jacob Steffan, and Lukas Steffan; Sister Gayle Gibbons (Husband Chuck); Nieces and Nephews: Suzanne Gibbons-Wagner (Husband Paul, Children Amelia and Kyan); Michelle Bushmaker (Husband Ryan, Children Gavin, Gradie), David Gibbons; and Cousins Howard Forest (Wife, Karen), and John Forest (Wife, Linda).

She was predeceased by Husband Eugene Steffan, Parents Edwin and Edith Montie, and Parents-In-Love Eugene and Ruth Steffan.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in her honor to the Church of the Cross, 13500 Freshman Lane, Fort Myers, FL 33912.

Diane was a real presence in her family’s life and will be greatly missed.

Mom, We love you. You have taught us love, kindness, strength and what makes a mother’ s love so very powerful. We will carry your spirit with us in our hearts every day of our lives. Love always, Debbie and Rob.

We invite you to share your memories and photos of Diane on her memorial page. Let us remember her not just for the love she had for us but also for the love we have for her. Her spirit lives on in the hearts of everyone she touched.

A graveside committal service is planned at 3:00 pm Friday July 11th.