Anna Mary Steffes

Anna Steffes, age 85, resident of Avon Park Florida, passed October 29, 2022. Anna grew up in Rochester, Minnesota entering the Franciscan convent on Assisi Heights in 1955. She taught in the Catholic school system for 20 years in Minnesota and Illinois and led yoga and meditation retreats for priests, nuns, and lay persons. She was an early organizer of the Rochester, Minnesota Food Coop. In 1978, she moved to Japan to study facets of its culture: Zen Buddhism, the tea ceremony at Urasenki Tea School in Kyoto while living in a Buddhist Temple. She obtained a Master’s Degree from Temple University in Osaka, Japan and taught English and Esperanto at Shoin Women’s University in Nara Prefecture. She obtained teacher certificates in Japanese traditional musical instruments, the koto and shamisen, was skilled in Japanese calligraphy, and obtained a certificate in Japanese language. Anna declared her belief in the Bahai Faith in 1992 and remained a dedicated and steadfast devotee until her passing. She returned to the United States in 2004 and retired in Avon Park, Florida, remaining active in her community. Anna is preceded in death by her parents – Bernard and Dorothy Steffes; brother – Mark Steffes. She is survived by her sisters – Mary Gustavson and Judy Hohn (Dwayne); and many nephews, nieces, and dear friends. There will be a memorial gathering at the Orangewood Acres clubhouse in Avon Park, Florida on Sunday, November 13, 2022 at 1:30PM.

Arrangements entrusted to:

Stephenson-Nelson Funeral Home

111 East Circle Street

Avon Park, FL  33825

Online condolences may be left at:

www.stephensonnelsonfh.com