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Legendary Wisconsin racer "Red" Steffen dies at age 79 on March 31
EAU CLAIRE, WI - Dennis "Red" Steffen of Eau Claire passed away at home and surrounded by family on Monday, March 31, at the age of 79. Born on December 4, 1945, Red lived his life “pedal to the metal,” and he had the stories to prove it.
His dedication to his family, work, and hobbies was unwavering, and his life can hardly be captured in so few words. He will be immeasurably missed by the many lives he touched.
Red quickly learned the value of a hard day’s work, rarely sitting still and never “letting the grass grow under your feet.” He began working young, delivering papers, later working at Montgomery Ward, Crosstown Café, and construction for Frank Tomasovich, learning the valuable lesson that, “It's just as easy to do things right the first time.”
His work ethic eventually led him to his role at the City of Eau Claire water treatment plant, where he proudly worked for 29 years. He also juggled side jobs starting cars in the coldest Wisconsin winters and carpet cleaning for area house rentals and apartment buildings. Despite demanding swing shifts and variable hours, Red always had time to coach his four sons in Little League and Babe Ruth.
That work ethic paid off outside of his career, too. Red was a prolific dirt track Late Model racer who won hundreds of races over several decades, earning respect and admiration from fellow racers and fans alike.
But his racing career began long before all the accomplishments. It started at 16 years old with lifelong friend and car co-owner Wally Soller. With Red behind the wheel, he quickly gained recognition for his speed and charisma. Outside the track, the duo often found themselves in many “just on the right side of the law” scenarios. To have heard Red tell the tales of their adventures was to have lived it.
His competitive spirit was captured perfectly in memorable “Red-isms.” He told it like it was and always gave the extra effort to get to the finish line … because, “When the green flag drops, the B.S. stops.”
He raced in the No. 224 Street Stock before moving to Late Models, where he found success with car owners Neil Manor, Sr., Frank Mooney, Dale Haugen, Tom Nesbitt, Jack Erickson, and Kenny Costley. The No. 97 race team, with Mooney as the car owner, enjoyed a stellar run of success for over 10 years. In 1973, Red won the first-ever Late Model feature race on a Sunday afternoon at Red Cedar Speedway and was named Late Model Driver of the Year by Wisconsin Sport. These successes were shared with his race crew, including Bill Candell, Kurt Anderson, Tom Higley, Greg Day, and many others.
His preeminent racing year was 1983, when he won the Punky Manor Challenge of Champions and two other end-of-year special races within four weeks. A season for the record books.
Beyond the race track, Red was an expert walleye fisherman, spending countless hours on Lake Altoona, Alma, and Tainter Lake. He loved fishing with his sons, teaching them the nuances and patience of the sport. Known for his fishing acumen, Red always knew where to find the best bites.
Outside of his hobbies, Red was, first and foremost, a family man.
Married for 48 years to the love of his life, Julie, his partner in crime in raising four energetic and feisty boys, Red and Julie balanced each other perfectly. The yin to his yang, their partnership was a testament to their love and dedication.
Some of his sons’ favorite memories were camping and fishing on the St. Louis River, where Red would count their caught fish on a baseball pitch counter. Red adored his two grandsons and they will always remember great times spent at the race track or a sporting event and, of course, the crisp dollar bills he handed them every time they saw him.
He was also a special presence to all the children and daycare families who went to Julie’s in-home daycare. Many daycare fathers often volunteered for pick-up to enjoy a beer, a fresh piece of fried fish, and “talking shop” with Red.
He is survived by his wife, Julie; sons Mark (Jennie), Ben (Michelle), Bart (Sara), and Daniel; grandsons Austin and Cole; and his beloved golden retriever, Lucy, who will surely miss the endless treats and table scraps. He is preceded in death by his parents, Berlie and Erna Steffen, birth mother, Gloria Spielman, and in-laws, Clare and Helen Leipnitz.
The family extends heartfelt thanks to his care team at Mayo Clinic Health System, including Dr. Peter Halverson, Dr. Patrick Macken, the cardiology department team, and the empathetic nurses, respiratory therapists, and nursing assistants.
A memorial service was held Friday, April 25, 2025, at Grace Lutheran Church. To honor Red's life, please take a kid fishing or to a local race track. Donations may also be made to Grace Lutheran Church.
Hulke Family Funeral Home & Cremation Services assisted the family with the arrangements.