Charles Edward Steen (“Chuck”), age 98, passed away peacefully on June 24, 2026, with loving family by his side. Chuck was born nearly a century ago on October 19, 1927, in West Liberty, Iowa, to Leslie Otto Steen and Bertha Pierce Steen. He is preceded in death by his first wife, Harriet Darlene (Connie) Conner; his second wife, Joanne Funk, his son, Thomas Linn Steen; and his sister, Hazle Steen Schmidt.

Chuck is survived by his son, Terry Steen (Julie); grandchildren Aaron Steen (Ashley), Adam Steen (Kasey), Jason Steen (Christine), Hannah Stuart (Randy), and Madelyn Steen; great-grandchildren Charlie Steen, Chloe Steen, Harper Steen, Otto Steen, Matilda Hong, Lillian Hong, Ryker Steen, and Maverick Steen. He is also survived by his daughter-in-law, Michelle Fetters Steen.

He grew up on the family farm, and after high school he enlisted in the Army (on our side) for the Korean War in 1947. He returned home and out-punted his coverage by marrying the Iowa Wesleyan homecoming queen, Connie. During college, Chuck (Class of ’50) was on both the football and wrestling teams. despite his lack of experience.

One of the proudest moments of Chuck’s life came when he stood up for a Japanese student, Jim Morita, who sought to pledge and activate into his fraternity. When the national Sig Ep organization demanded Morita’s removal, Chuck and several fraternity brothers refused to comply, even at the risk of losing their national charter. They launched a letter‑writing campaign across the fraternity system and to university presidents, advocating for Morita’s right to belong.

When their efforts failed, Chuck and others chose to deactivate from the fraternity rather than abandon their principles. Their fight got its footing at the University of Minnesota and Dartmouth, where the presidents ultimately mandated that all fraternities must accept people of color or face expulsion from campus.

In 2021, Chuck proudly nominated Morita to the Iowa Wesleyan Hall of Fame in recognition of Morita’s exceptional football career. Our family has told this story often, and it has shaped our understanding of courage, integrity, and the responsibility to stand up for what is right. We embrace those values even more today.

After a brief stint teaching history and coaching in Hedrick, IA, Chuck and Connie needed money to survive and raise a family, so he pursued a successful career in agribusiness with Growmark, Inc. The Steen family lived in Tipton, Iowa, then Manchester, and finally Indianola, Iowa, where sons Tom and Terry grew up. Chuck and Connie later moved to Bloomington, Illinois, to continue his career with Growmark.

Chuck took early retirement from Growmark to care for Connie during her battle with cancer until she died on January 13, 1987. Following retirement, he consulted globally to assist developing countries in improving their agricultural practices in Poland, Lithuania, Russia, Ukraine, and Brazil. He also taught marketing classes at Illinois State and Illinois Wesleyan.

Chuck married Joanne Funk in May of 1988, and they lived a full and happy life. Joanne loved each member of Chuck’s family, so we cherish and honor her memory. Joanne brought sons Bill and John and their families into the fold. All were a blessing to our lives. Joanne passed on July 15, 2015, in Bloomington, IL, also from cancer.

Following Joanne’s passing, Chuck relocated to Iowa to be closer to family. He remained in independent living until his last days, enjoying golf, bean-bag tournaments, and attending great-grandchildren's events. He believes he was the last Korean vet to visit a grade school on Veterans Day, especially without the aid of a cane or walker. Chuck traveled to Minnesota to fish for walleye, catching his last in the summer of 2023 as COVID restrictions were lifted, although he was admonished by the facility administrator for leaving his apartment complex. Of course, he mentioned he wasn’t really exposed since he was in a boat in the middle of a lake.

He had absolute faith in the power of education and family, and that farming is an important cornerstone of prosperity and values. He spent countless hours fielding baseballs off the sidewalk and holding down uncomfortable bleacher seats across the Midwest. He will be remembered and cherished by all.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, August 8, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at Overton Funeral Home in Indianola, followed by social time and his favorite pie at the funeral home. Inurnment of cremains will be in the Indianola I.O.O.F. Cemetery. In lieu of flowers in Chuck’s honor, the family asks that you help a kid do something fun in his memory.