Misty J Steffen's Obituary
Misty J. Steffen, 50, of Palmetto, FL, passed away peacefully at her home on December 3, 2024,
surrounded by her loving family. Misty was a devoted wife, mother, daughter, nurse, and friend whose unwavering faith, compassion, and dedication to helping others left a lasting legacy. Born on December 27, 1973, in New Castle, IN, Misty was raised by Tony and Debra Kimbler. She was a 1992 graduate of New Castle High School and began her career in nursing by earning her LPN from Ivy Tech in 1997, followed by her Associates Degree in Nursing from Marian University in Indianapolis in 1999. Misty continued her education with a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2003 and completed her Master of Science in Nursing at the University of Indianapolis in 2010. She was also a certified pediatric nurse (CPN) and spent her career making a difference in the lives of countless patients and families.
Misty’s professional journey began as a CNA at Henry County Hospital and included various roles in nursing and leadership, including LPN at Ball Memorial Hospital, nurse recruiter at IU Health, manager and director at Riley Hospital for Children, and service line leader for Women and Children at Ball
Memorial Hospital. One of her most significant achievements was helping build St. David’s Children’s Hospital in Austin, Texas, from the ground up, where she served as pediatric hospital director. She later moved to Florida, where she was appointed Assistant Chief Nursing Officer at Brandon Regional Hospital. In 2021, Misty achieved her dream of becoming Chief Nursing Officer at South Shore Hospital. Despite her successful career, Misty’s proudest accomplishment was being a mother. After years of waiting, Misty’s prayer was answered when she became the mother of her daughter, Samantha Rowlison-Wagner. Samantha, a nurse in Dallas, Texas, was the joy of Misty’s life, and Misty often said her daughter was “worth the wait.”
Misty's faith was a driving force throughout her life. She was an active member of Truth Tabernacle, where she was asked to play the piano—a skill she did not initially have, but one she embraced in service to her church. Her willingness to step out in faith and trust God’s plan for her life defined both her career and personal life. She was known for her generosity, kindness, and ability to see the good in everyone she met. Her favorite verse was "He who is without sin cast the first stone," a reminder to love one another and show kindness even in difficult circumstances.
In 2022, Misty was diagnosed with a rare blood cancer with five genetic mutations. After undergoing a stem cell transplant in September 2022 from a donor she had hoped to meet, Misty was cancer-free but faced a series of complications. Throughout her illness, Misty’s faith grew exponentially, and she became a powerful witness of hope, strength, and resilience, sharing her testimony with everyone she encountered.
Misty was not only a dedicated mother and nurse but also a loving wife. She married her best friend, Brett Steffen, on July 4, 2019, in Austin, TX. For Misty, marrying Brett was a dream come true. She often said that when they got married, she "finally got it right." Brett was her rock, standing by her side through every step of her cancer journey with unwavering love, support, and devotion. Their bond was a true testament to the power of love and faith, and Brett’s commitment to Misty was an enduring example of strength and partnership in the face of adversity.
Misty loved to live life to the fullest, enjoying travel, snorkeling, boating, dancing, and spending time with her friends and family. She had an incredible circle of lifelong friends, including her best friends, Rachel (Alan) Smith and Mindy (Burke) Smith, who stood by her side through thick and thin, sharing life’s ups and downs.
Misty was preceded in death by her maternal grandmother, Gertrude "Granny" Young; her paternal grandparents, Bobby and Frances Blackburn; and her brothers, Aron Kimbler and Michael Taylor. She is survived by her loving husband, Brett Steffen; her parents, Tony and Debra Kimbler; her father, Mike Taylor; her daughter and son-in-law, Samantha and Dimitri Wagner; her step-sister, Toni Renee Stearns; her half-siblings, Michelle Taylor, Jenny (Nathaniel) Durbin, and Daniel (Abby) Taylor; nieces Olivia Criswell and Ally Kimbler (Andrew); nephews Anthony (Joplin) Stearns and Nick Stearns (Allie); a special aunt, Cindy Blackburn; cousins Jon (Jordan) Dicken and their son Jackson, Chris (Rebecca) Lawson, and many other aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
Misty’s life was a testament to the power of faith, love, and service to others. She made a profound impact on everyone she met, whether through her work, her kindness, or her deep commitment to her family and community. In lieu of flowers, Misty’s family asks that donations be made in her honor to local blood and platelet donation centers, as Misty would have wanted others to give the gift of life, just as she was given.
A celebration of Misty’s life will be held at Four Square Church in New Castle, IN on December 14, 2024 at 4 PM, and the family invites all who knew and loved Misty to join them in honoring her memory.
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