Mona M. Hauff
Mona Marie Hauff, age 81, passed away at Sanford USD Medical Center on Thursday, October 31, 2024. The Family is hosting a Celebration of Life gathering at JJ’s Wine and Spirits 3000 W 57th Street, Sioux Falls, SD on Thursday, November 14, 2024 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
Mona Marie Steffen was born to Neva Pauline and Elmer George Steffen on Dec. 27, 1942 in Cleveland, Ohio. She spent her childhood in Ohio and went to Hathaway Brown Girls School in Shaker Heights, Ohio. After graduating from Hathaway, she made her way to Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, where she graduated with an English degree in May 1965. She met Steve Hauff along the way while visiting her aunt, Mona Holland, in Sioux City. They were married the summer of 1965 and moved to Lincoln, Nebraska, where Steve was working on a master's degree in business. Mona worked in a stock broker's office during that time.
In May 1966, Steve was offered a position with Cummins Engine Company in Columbus, Indiana, so they moved there until 1970. Cummins wanted them to move to Chicago, but they decided to move to Sioux Falls instead where Steve would work for Dakota Sports, owned by Steve's dad, Dwight Hauff.
Curt came along in 1968 and Jerry followed in 1972. Mona often spent time with her mother, “Polly” aka “Grandma Who,” in New York and Florida. She and her mother were very close. Mona also enjoyed packing up the kids and her horses, which she had been riding since childhood, and heading to the Black Hills. There, she spent the summers at the cabin in Silver City, South Dakota. She led the “Silver City Calvary” — three women on horseback who had a great time being in parades and riding in the Black Hills.
In 1978 Dakota Lettering was started and Mona decided to try her hand at business and took over in 1980. She was a fierce and successful businesswoman and would go toe to toe with anyone. She sold the business to Curt and Jerry in 2003. She moved to Payson, Arizona, in1998 and enjoyed her time in the desert. She moved back to Sioux Falls in 2006 to be closer to her kids and growing family.
Mona loved her family, horses, shelling, her dogs, painting, wine, jewelry, and giving anyone she could a hard time. She loved to turn a phrase, bringing us the infamous “Monese.” She had a contagious laugh and a huge heart. She will be missed by many that she considered her friends and family.
Like Mona said “That's life in a nut bowl and it probably didn't even scratch the bucket. But I'm a lose gun so put that in your cap and smoke it.”
She is survived by her son, Curt (Jessica) Hauff, and their children, Nate and Katie, and her son, Jerry (Amy) Hauff, and their children, Ethan and Aiden.
Mona was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Tom (Nancy Jean) and Tim Steffen; and nephew, David Steffen.