Freida L. Steffen, 99, of Bluffton, died Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011, at the Christian Care Retirement Center. Born in Wells County on April 15, 1912, to Samuel and Nettie (Neuenschwander) Gerber, she married Clarence C. Steffen on Feb. 8, 1936 in Bluffton; he died June 24, 1997. A homemaker, she had also worked as the bookkeeper for the Craigville Elevator prior to her marriage. She was a member of the Apostolic Christian Church. Survivors include three daughters, Ruth (Larry) Mechling of Bluffton, Bonnie (Russell) Mulkey of Bluffton, and Betty (David) Smeltzer of Three Oaks, Mich.; two sons, Don (Carolyn) Steffen of Three Oaks, Mich., and Marvin (Della) Steffen of Bluffton; a daughter-in-law, Nancy Steffen of Bluffton; one brother, Arthur M. Gerber of Berne; two sisters, Viola Ringger and Sylvia Frauhiger, both of Bluffton; 19 grandchildren; 50 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a son, Frank Steffen, who died on Jan. 3, 2002; seven brothers, Ervin, Herman, Walter, Ralph, Clifford, Glen and Kenneth Gerber; and two sisters, Naomi Ringger and Hilda Kaehr. Services will be held Friday at 10:30 a.m. at the Apostolic Christian Church East with Chad Gerber and Mark Gerber officiating. Calling hours are Thursday from 1 to 8 p.m. at Goodwin Memorial Chapel and Friday for one hour prior to the service at the Church. Burial will be in the Apostolic Christian Cemetery. Preferred memorials are to the Christian Care Retirement Community