Helen Mae Steffes

Helen Mae (Block) Steffes, age 93, of Woodbury, MN formerly of St. Paul and Aitkin, MN passed away peacefully on Monday April 6, 2026. Helen was a Loving Wife, Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother.

Helen will be deeply missed by her family. Survived by Timothy (Alice) Block, Linda (Michael) Everett, and Daughter-in-law Connie Block, 10 Grandchildren, 22 Great Grandchildren, sister Shirley Mayeda, of San Jose, CA and niece Kristine Robinson and nephew Karl Gerner.

Preceded in death by her parents Joseph and Charlotte Stadtherr, first husband Donald Block, second husband John Steffes and son Gregory Block.

Helen was born in St. Paul, MN where she attended St. James Grade School and St. Joseph’s Academy High School.

She was united in marriage to Donald Block at St. James Catholic Church of St. Paul, MN on October 27, 1951 until Dons death in 1996 at their retirement lake home in Aitkin, MN.

Helen then met John Steffes at St. James Catholic Church in Aitkin, MN and they were married January 29, 2000. They moved back to Woodbury for more care in 2014, where John passed away in 2016.

Helen was a wife and homemaker. She sold Avon Products during the day and had many enjoyable coffee clutches with the neighbor ladies in the mornings when her children went off to school. She enjoyed those days and laughed about her days with the ladies often. Helen was also a very talented seamstress who sewed and made many alterations for so many people. She sewed many doll clothes for children’s dolls, baby clothes for local hospitals in the area, and made wedding gowns for her daughter, daughter-in-law, granddaughter and many others brides, along with bridesmaid dresses for a full wedding. She was so creative.

Before her retirement, and before they hit the road to travel, she also worked as a consultant/caretaker for a short time and worked at a fabric store before calling it quits, but she didn’t give up her sewing machine, she took it with her. (Lol!)

Helen lived a very good life. She’s traveled around the US and abroad and enjoyed life to the fullest. Everyone loved her because she always had a smile, a laugh and turned everything into a positive perception.

A special thank you to all the staff at Stonecrest of Woodbury for their excellent daily care for Helen throughout the years while living in Memory Care. Also, a thank you to Optage Hospice Care who had taken an additional roll in caring for Helen when she needed extra end-of-life care since January 2026. Our family appreciates how much everyone adored Helen and loved being with her through daily activities, singing, church gatherings, movies and so many things they have to offer.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (https://www.stjude.org) or Guardian Angels Catholic Church of Oakdale (https://guardian-angels.org ), or your favorite charity of choice.

A Catholic Mass will be held Friday June 5, 2026, at 11:00AM, with a visitation one hour prior to service, from 10:00-11:00AM at Guardian Angels Catholic Church, 8260 4th St. N, Oakdale, MN.

Private Interment will be held in Aitkin, MN on Saturday June 6th.