Ann & John Steffens

Ann McLaughlin Steffens and John Steffens

 Ann Kathryn McLaughlin Steffens, 72, died Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024, at St. Patrick’s Hospital in Missoula.

 Ann suffered a brain aneurysm and died a few days later. John, Ann’s husband of 52 years, died four days later, on Feb. 14.

 Ann was born on August 16, 1951, to Bert P. and Fern Hager McLaughlin, the oldest of 7 children. They all grew up at 747 Lewis Ave., a house known to many kids and teenagers throughout the years. She attended Holy Rosary Elementary School and Billings Central High School, graduating in the famous class of '69.

 She earned a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Montana. She was accepted into law school there, but decided to go to work for a while instead. After working at a few jobs Ann settled in to work for the Montana Child Support Services. She spent her career there and ended up writing new child support guidelines for the state. She was regularly consulted by judges from around the state to help determine support in difficult cases.

 Ann was smart, determined, strong, unwavering, and also kind, generous, loyal. She had a great sense of humor. She knew her job in child support enforcement was important. She loved to garden, both vegetables and flowers in her younger days. She loved her cats and dogs through the years.

 John was born on March 20, 1939, in Oklahoma to Wilbur and Alice Avery Steffens. He grew up in Bartlesville, OK, and earned a bachelor's degree in Business from the University of Oklahoma.

While working for Conoco as a regional sales rep, John traveled to Montana and Wyoming. He met Ann while she was working at Mr. Steak in Billings in 1970. They were married on Oct. 30, 1971, outside Red Lodge.

They made their home in Missoula, where Ann attended UM, and stayed there until their deaths.

John was known to many in town, as he worked at the Joint Effort in downtown Missoula. He was smart, loyal, iron-willed, sometimes grouchy. He told the story that when he was young, his mother wouldn't wake him until she was ready to go out the door because he was so grumpy in the morning.

But John was also funny and generous with a wicked sense of humor. He adopted the McLaughlins as his family long ago.

Ann had lost her parents, Bert and Fern, and two sisters: Laurie Huffman and Susie Mackey, as well as Susie's husband Randy. She is survived by her sisters Vikki O'Brien, (Gerry) of Klamath Falls, OR; Patty Huppert (Kevin) of Billings; and Mike Haugen (John); and her brother Dan of Helena; and her stepfather Melvin Strauch of Billings, who had been married to Fern from Sept. 6, 1985, until her death in 2019. Nieces and nephews include Molly O'Brien, Patrick McLaughlin, Jill Nelson, Zachary Huffman, Kevin Huffman, Caley Mullenberg, Cody Shearin, Claire Haugen.

John was also survived by the McLaughlin family.

Ann and John were dedicated to each other, and practically inseparable. In the past few years, John suffered with COPD, and was in the end stages when Ann died. So he followed her. On Valentine's Day.

We want to thank their wonderful neighbors, Mark and Dorothy Hull, for their many years of friendship and caring for Ann and John’s home and beloved pets when they were away.  No services are planned now, but we will have a memorial gathering in the spring.

Memorials may be made to AniMeals No-Kill Adoption Center, 1700 Rankin St., Missoula, Mt  59808.

Condolences can be shared at Justcreamationmt.com or emailed to vmobrien510@gmail.com, or phuppert@charter.net.