Dollie Steffenson

Dollie was born on January 24, 1934, daughter of the late Frank “Jack” Akers and Edna Karlarene Akers-Gross of Chowchilla. She was raised in and graduated from high school in Chowchilla. After high school, she moved to Merced and married the late Ted DeGraff of Merced (25 years), and in 1982 married Glenn Steffenson, her beloved husband of 26 years, who passed in March, 2008.

Dollie leaves loving memories to be cherished by her older brother, Jack Akers, of Arizona; her daughters Kris Tully (husband Jim Tully) of Argyle, Texas, Kerri Fausone (husband Ernie Fausone) of LeGrand, California, Karol Courtney (husband Michael Courtney) of Reno, Nevada, her son, Krieg DeGraff; grandchildren, Alexandra Tully, Steffani and David Fausone, Mike and Haley Courtney and Kristen DeGraff; and great-grandson Kaiden Courtney. Dollie was a member of Central Presbyterian Church in Merced where she enjoyed singing in the choir. She loved gardening in her beautifully landscaped yard and traveling up the West coast in her RV with Glenn enjoying the mountains, trees, birds and ocean views.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in her memory to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.com or to Central Presbyterian Church at 1920 Canal Street, Merced, CA 95340. Condolences may be left in Dollie’s online guestbook at www.stratfordevansfunerals.com.

The family wishes to extend their love and gratitude to Olga Martinez and her staff at Alessandra Roma for their love and care during Dollie’s last year, and to Hinds Hospice for their care and support in Dollie’s final weeks.

Arrangements under the direction of Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home, Merced, CA.