Glenard Steffens age 92, resident of Lake Worth passed away on Tuesday, August 24, 2021, in a care center in Willow Park Texas.
Service: 1:00 pm, Friday, September 3, 2021 in Biggers Funeral Home Chapel
Visitation: 6:00 to 8:00 pm, Thursday, September 2, 2021 at Biggers Funeral Home
Interment: Greenwood Mausoleum.
Glenard was born on November 25,1928, in Pryor, Oklahoma to Herbert and Madeline Steffens. He grew up in Pryor and attended Pryor Grade School and High School. As a young boy he grew to enjoy fishing, hunting, and camping with his brothers and others in his childhood. He attended the Church of God and surrendered his life to his personal savior Jesus Christ at age 11. His devotion to Jesus Christ has played a dominate part in his personal life as well as his career in the United States Air Force. He worked as a projectionist in the movie theater in Pryor for three years while in high school by going to school in the mornings and working in the evenings. He enjoyed the summertime by going to his paternal grandfathers who both owned a large farm and lived about a mile from each other. His Aunt Ruth was a guiding force as well as others in his life who loved to tell of his love for the farm animals and the ‘old goose’ who would always chased him from the pen. Upon graduation from Pryor High School and while working at the movie theater in his hometown, World War II had been going on since the early 40’s so the big question for him was whether to join the military service or not. His father served in War World I and War World II; a brother was serving in the Navy. Glenard’s love for airplanes and a collection of airplane pictures used by the United States, Japan, and Germany along with building model airplanes was certainly his hobby. He volunteered for the United States Army Air Corps the predecessor for the United States Air Force on November 18th, 1947, at Fort Riley Kansas.
While on leave from basic training and back in his hometown of Pryor he met the love of his life Rosalie Link. Rosalie was working in a soda fountain in Pryor. Although he had not previously known Rosalie, he was soon smitten with her and had numerous dates and a recurring courtship. When opportunity presented itself, he would return to Prior to see and visit Rosalie. Glenard and Rosalie were married at the First Church of God in Pryor Oklahoma on December 15, 1951. Glenard continued in his career and served in the United States Air Force for 24 years attaining the rank of Senior Master Sargent. Glenard had many duty assignments within the United States but also to include overseas tours of duty in South Korea, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Italy, Labrador, and San Antonio Texas during his military career.
Throughout Glenard’s life it was his desire to be a minister of the gospel. Glenard retired June 1, 1974, and moved to Saginaw Texas. He received his Degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary on December 17, 1976, and ordained in 1974 into the ministry. Glenard and Rosalie then moved to Lake Worth, Texas and his new church home became Lake Worth Bible Church. Glenard and Rosalie accepted the calling and pastored the church until 1990. He also assisted with funerals conducted by Bigger Funeral Home in Lake Worth, providing his services to families in the North Texas area if there was need to conduct funerals for there loved ones.
Glenard loved his military service of his country. He further loved his wife, family, and their willingness to relocate when further duty and commitment to our country when called. Glenard was a fisherman, hunter and loved recreational boating. Living on Lake Granbury was one of his favorite spots. He loved the good home cooking that Rosalie prepared for him. He further loved chicken fried steak and coconut cream pie that Rosalie prepared for dinner with a cup of coffee. Blue Bell Ice Cream was always in the refrigerator to enjoy for any occasion. Truly an American Patriot that will be missed by numerous individuals, friends’ family and certainly missed by others that he encountered in his lifetime.
Glenard throughout his military career received numerous military awards and commendations for his military service. Two of the many awards he was presented throughout his career he cherished most were:
Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) Commendation Devotion of Duty.
2018 Senior Master Sergeant Glenard Steffens (retired) received the Veteran of the Year Award for consistent, and significant contributions to the improvement, vitality, and sustainment of your community within the 99th district of the Texas House of Representatives. Presented by Texas Representative Charlie Geren November 2018.
Preceded in death by his father Herbert William Steffens; mother, Madeline Redman; his brothers, Carl E Steffens and Leonard Steffens.
Glenard is survived by his wife, Rosalie, of 69 years, two daughters, Brenda Fitts and her husband, William of Fort Worth; Cessa White and her husband, Geoffrey of Lake Worth; grand-daughter, Vivian Rose White of Lake Worth; sister, Thelma Madeline Bradley, of Ft Smith, Arkansas; niece, Linda Bradley of Ft Smith, Arkansas; nephews, Leonard Steffens, Jr of Claremore, Oklahoma, and James Steffens of Claremore Oklahoma. Numerous cousins.