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Oliver Steele Obituary
Oliver Odes Steele, 86, passed away at the family home on Oct. 27, 2007.
Oliver was born to George and Carrie Ellen (Mueller) Steele in Nortonville, N.D., on April 27, 1921. After the family moved to Butte, Oliver attended local schools and graduated from Butte High School in 1939.
Oliver attended the University of Montana and then served in the U.S. Army during World War II. After his discharge, Oliver worked with his father at George Steele Co. On July 15, 1950, he married Helen Harrington in St. Patrick's Church. Together they raised their family of five children. Oliver retired from Steele's in 1989 to enjoy his expanding family, currently numbering 42. Although he was retired, Oliver enjoyed helping at Steele's during the holidays and having fun making commercials with his son Dan.
Oliver was a member of the B.P.O.E. No. 240 for over 60 years. He was active in Kiwanis for 52 years and was an active volunteer with Our Lady of the Rockies. His South Butte Kiwanis Club received national recognition for their untiring efforts to develop the Sheepshead's (Freedom Point) Campground for handicapped access. He served on the board of directors of the Salvation Army, Crimestoppers, Butte Chamber of Commerce, S.C.O.R.E. and A.M.I. (the regional furniture buying group). Oliver particularly enjoyed four-wheeling with his friends on Wednesdays. During his retirement, Oliver developed his skills as a wood carver, making treasures for his friends and family.
Oliver was preceded in death by his parents, George and Ellen Steele, and his brother, Clifton Steele.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Helen. His sisters-in-law: Lucille (Rear) Steele and Connie Harrington. His children: Nancy (Dave) Alzheimer, Rita (Bob) Spear, Dan (Kim) Steele, Sister Diane Steele, SCL, Marian (Duane) Tyree. His grandchildren: Julie Alzheimer and Jonathan Hughes, Laurie (Mike) Rasmussen, Marcie Alzheimer and Chad McNare, and Dennis Alzheimer. Greg (Sherry) Spear and Becky (Charlie) Smith. Carrie (Kevin) Keane, Amy (Zach) Tester, Dan Steele and Michele Daly, and Jessie Steele. Brian, Chris, Ben, Katie, and Maggie Tyree. His great-grandchildren: Carlie, Olivia, and Haley Spear, and Eli Smith. Brayden, Bryce, and Keltan Keane, Lexi and Jack Tester, and Oliver Steele.
Of all his accomplishments, Oliver was the most proud of his family. In the words of his grandson Benjamin Oliver, "Papa King was awesome!" A visitation will be held at Holy Spirit Church on Tuesday, Oct. 30, from 5 to 8 p.m., with a vigil at 7:30 p.m. Join the family in celebrating the Mass of Resurrection for Oliver, his last great ride, on Wednesday, Oct. 31, at 10 a.m. at Holy Spirit Church.
Memorials: Butte Food Bank, Highland Hospice Patsy and Bob O'Neill Compassionate Friends, Butte Catholic Education Foundation, or the Oliver Steele Memorial Scholarship at the University of Saint Mary, Leavenworth, Kansas.
Express condolences at www.mtstandard.com/obits.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Oliver Steele
Tony and Lisa Orizotti
November 16, 2007
Helen and Family,
Our thoughts and prayers go out to you. Take care and God Bless.
Dan Kahl
November 14, 2007
Dan Steele and Family
I just heard of your recent loss. Please accept my late condolences. I feel lucky to have known Ollie and will always remember his quick wit, humor and caring nature.
Steve Palmer
November 9, 2007
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Loretta Luecke
November 8, 2007
I just learned today of the death of Oliver Steele.Know my thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.I have fond memories of him when he visited Alaska.
Sr.Loretta
Lee & Marilyn Whitten
November 8, 2007
You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Mary Schrapps
November 1, 2007
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. Oli was truly a "gentle man". His kindness will always be remembered. He will truly be missed by the Butte community. Mike Schrapps, Jr., Jori Schrapps, Joe O'Neill and
Brandy Jackson (Sparks)
October 31, 2007
Dear the Family
Oliver up in the heaven playing cards with family and friends. Watching over everybody
Anne DeJohn
October 31, 2007
Steele Family:
Deepest sympathy to everyone.You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Fred and Anne DeJohn
GREG HARELAND
October 31, 2007
DEAR DAN AND FAMILY ,
OUR THOUGHTS GO OUT TO AT THIS TIME OLIVER WAS A GREAT MAN TO BE A ROUND THE FEW TIMES WE WERE WITH HIM AT JIM AND MARY PATS WHAT STORIES HE HAD, HE WILL BE FOREVER MISSED BEST WISHES
GREG AND LIZ HARELAND
Heidi Greer
October 31, 2007
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Rigg and Sandie Christianson
October 30, 2007
Dear Helen Dan and Family
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. I shall always remember Ollie for his great smile and positive attitude that would brighten anyones day.
October 30, 2007
Dear Dan and Family,
Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you. Always enjoyed your commericals with him. And heard such great things about him from Bruce & Loretta.
Don & Donna Houghton ( Loretta's Parents)
Randy & Sharon (Tinker) Guizzo
October 30, 2007
Steele Family,
Please accept our sincere sympathy at this time. Also be comforted knowing that George is now at peace and has no more pain.
Sr. Elizabeth Olsen, BVM
October 30, 2007
Dear Helen, Diane, and the Steele family,
Blessings on each of you as you celebrate Oliver in prayer. My prayers are with you as you grow through your grief. Elizabeth Olsen, BVM
Kathy & Gordon Huddleston
October 30, 2007
Dear Helen, Nancy, Rita, Dan, Sister Diane, Marian, Greg, Becky, Carrie, Amy, Dan and other family members,
I am sorry for the loss of your husband, father and grandfather. We had the pleasure of visiting with him on several occasions and he is quite a character and Butte legend. He left quite a legacy in his business and wonderful family. Kathy and Gordon
Candice Burns
October 30, 2007
Helen, Sister Diane, Rita, Dan and other family members,
I just finished reading Oliver's Obituary. I'm so sorry for your loss. Oliver was an icon - like my father - in Butte for many years. He was always smiling and most gracious when he waited on you. You are all in my prayers. Candice Burns (Missoula, Montana)
Cindy & Craig Bernhardt
October 30, 2007
Steele Family,
You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Bernie & Lori Jurenic
October 30, 2007
Dan & Family, We are saddened at your recent loss. You are in our prayers and thoughts.
Al Johnson
October 30, 2007
Dan and Family.
Sorry to hear about your fathers passing.
My deepest sympahty to you all.
Sharon Glover
October 30, 2007
My deepest sympath for your loss. Oliver was a wonderful man. He will be missed greatly.
Maggie Pesanti
October 30, 2007
Oliver was a "one of a kind" he will be missed by everyone. He was such a great guy. Our sympathy to the family. Maggie,Jim & Josh Pesanti
ed neman
October 30, 2007
Dear Sister Diane and Family,
My sympathy to all of you. You are in my thoughts.
sincerely,
Ed Neuman
Rita Mika
October 30, 2007
Diane,
Bob and I are so sorry for your loss. Your dad sounds like a
very special person.
Know that our thoughts and prayers
are with you during these days of celebrating his life.
All our love,
Bob and Rita
of celebrating h
judy johnson (wagner)
October 30, 2007
Steele Family...I am so sorry to hear about Oliver's passing. He was truly a one of a kind...You all have always had a special place in my heart. My very Deepest Sympathies to you all
karen gazy
October 30, 2007
Dan and family,,, It was always a joy to visit with Ollie, I have missed seeing your family over these past yrs. since our moving to Minnesota.... God Bless, reflect often on the memories and continue to give thanks for family and life. Our thoughts are with you all.. Mike and Karen Gazy
Cliff and Darla Towers
October 29, 2007
Only met Oliver once but wanted to extend our prayers to your family as we know that Olie was a highly respected man by many of our friends
Shane and Doreena Ford
October 29, 2007
With Much Love, Deep Respect and Many Prayers for your family. Oliver will be missed.
Love, The Ford Family
Brenda and John Bolton
October 29, 2007
Helen, Nancy and Family. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you with the passing of Oliver. We sure enjoyed all the times spent at the tailgating parties for Marcies Basketball Games. He was definitely the life of the party. We loved his stories and enthusiasm and will definitely remember that. Again - sorry to hear of his passing, we know that he is at peace.
Alex Rusu
October 29, 2007
To the Entire Steele Family:
Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with your entire family. It is very difficult to lose someone you love but cherish all your memories and hold them close to your heart and your loved one will be with you always.
Love and miss everyone in Butte!
Alex, Keren and Stephanie Rusu
Bill & Becky Alzheimer
October 29, 2007
Dear Helen and Family,
We have been tracking Oliver's health for some time through Nancy and Dave. You can tell that Notre Dame missed his decreased attention this fall. Oliver was a very important guy to his immediate and extended family. Never was a dull moment when Oliver was around.His compassion for the cabin sure helped establish a family legacy that I know you all cherish. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you.
Mick-Carol Doherty
October 29, 2007
Dan & Kim, Helen & Family:
We will miss OLLIE as much as you guys will. Our prayers are with you, always. We love you all
Love, Mick, Carol, Kellie, Craig, Brian, Stacey, McKenzie, Tyce, Sydney, Cody, Renzy, Zoe and Rye Doherty
Martha Payne
October 29, 2007
Mimi and all the Steeles: Some of my best memories are of spending weekends at the cabin with the Steele Family and eating Oliver's secret-family-recipe potatoes. He was a wonderful man who made an impact on my life. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Martha (Janie Shannon) Payne and Family
The Vuk
October 29, 2007
I was sad to see old Oliver pass on ,I will miss him at the Daredevils Games!!May you rest in peace my Friend...
Lester L. Mesner
October 29, 2007
Dan, Kim and the rest of the Steele Family:
My deepest condolences to the entire Steele family. Oliver was a great man that inspired all of us that have had the oppurtunity to meet and know him. For those of us that have the privillege of doing business with Steele's, we will be able to have a constant reminder of Oliver's professionalism in how he ran the family business and treated his customers and suppliers with the greatest respect, because the apple did not fall far from the tree in Dan. Dan, your father's legacy will live on in you, and I am proud that I have had the oppurtunity to know both of you personally and professionally. My thoughts and prayers are with you doing this time of sorrow for you and your family. Lester L. Mesner, Denver, Co.
Margy McHugh
October 29, 2007
Helen, Dan, Rita & families, I am so sorry for your loss, Oliver was a very special person, he is out of his suffering now, but it is still very hard. Margy McHugh
Marj Lunn
October 29, 2007
God Bless all the Steel Family.
Oliver sold me my first frontroom set back in the sixty's'
He made it so much fun.Now he can be shining in Heaven
Marj (Eva) Lunn
Lynn & Dennis Doherty
October 29, 2007
Dear Helen, Nancy, Rita, Dan, Diane & Marion and families,
You are in our thoughts and prayers. There will be a huge void without Oliver but what wonderful memories you will all have. We should all strive to be like him (and Helen) -- the nicest, most fun and loving people!
God Bless,
Ron and Darlene Triner
October 29, 2007
Our deepest sympathy to the Steele family at their loss of Oliver. I had the privledge to know him in Kiwanis. He was a fine person and he will be missed by all who knew him. May God be with all of you at this time and comfort you.
Bonnie Joseph
October 29, 2007
Diane,
I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your dad. Please know that you and your entire family are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Earl Genzberger
October 29, 2007
Dear Helen and family,
Our condolences on the loss of a wonderful man. We were all given a great gift..knowing Oliver. May memories of him sustain you at this time.
Earl and Ramona Genzberger
Shelley Dixon
October 29, 2007
The Steele Family:
Our very deepest sympathies to all what a kind man. The world just lost one more kind smile and heaven received one great Angel to watch over us all.
Mike & Shelley Dixon.
Colleen Harrington
October 29, 2007
My thoughts are with Helen and the entire family. There is no doubt that Oliver touched many peoples lives and he will live in the memories of those who were lucky enough to know him. My favorite memory is of Oliver doing some sort of an interpretive crack the egg chicken dance at my Grandparents 50th wedding anniversary. His skills on the dance floor quickly made him the hit of the party. I can remember thinking to myself that I hoped to be that fun when I was his age (which I believe was around 60 years at the time??). He will always be remembered. All my best to the family during this time.
October 29, 2007
Helen: Oliver was a great friend to our family. May God comfort you. The Martell Family, Carla, Marla, Geri, Tony & Andre'
Mary Buckley Dolezal
October 29, 2007
Dear Steele Family,
I was sorry to read about Mr. Steele's passing. Please accept my deepest sympathies. I pray that your faith and memories will serve as a comfort to you at this time.
Sincerely
Kim Key (Harrington)
October 29, 2007
You are all in my thoughts and prayers. I do remember he was always smiling and laughing, but my most vivid memory of Uncle Oliver is doing the 'Egg Roll' at Duane and Marian's wedding. When Dad told me the news he said "He was absolutely the best!" Please know that you have a love coming to you from all of us. Love, Kim
Roxie Larson
October 29, 2007
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time. What a great man that lived a good life and always went out of his way to make people smile. May he rest in peace.
Andy & Roxie Larson
Alex Vukovich
October 29, 2007
Dan and Kim:
Please accept my sympathy on your loss. Dad's are 'heroes' and the world is never the same without them.
Alex Vukovich
Philip Johnson
October 29, 2007
I would like to express our heartfelt sympathy to the entire Steele family from all of us at Johnson Hardware and Furniture in Sidney, Mt. I had the pleasure of meeting Oliver in Butte during one of our Furniture Leaders gatherings and was not only impressed by him, but the entire Steele family. Butte was lucky to have him. His family legacy will live on through his children and his business legacy through the continuation of the Steele family business and AMI Furniture Leaders.
Gino Dunfee
October 29, 2007
Sincere sympathies to the Steele family.
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Bruce & Loretta Dunning
October 29, 2007
On behalf of the A.M.I. organization we would like to say Oliver’s love of life, love of business and most of all love of his family was a pleasure to be a part of. His gentle kindness and honest ways are difficult to describe. We all held him in the greatest affection and respect. He touched us all and will be missed by many, many people. The world has lost someone very special.
Bruce & Loretta
A.M.I./Furniture Leaders
Kim McKiernan
October 29, 2007
My thoughts and prayers are with the Steele family during this difficult time.
Maggie Fogerty
October 29, 2007
Our prayers and thoughts are with all of you.
Russ, Maggie, Kaileigh and Eric
Jim & Leslie White
October 29, 2007
Dan, Kim and family,
We are very sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Charlene (LeProwse) Messick
October 29, 2007
Heartfelt sympathy to the Steele families - Oliver was very good to my mom, Tootie Conniston, over the years. He was just so typical Butte...always took care of the hard working people in Butte when it came time to purchase a new front room set. He will be missed by many Butte folks.
Phil & Therese Madrazo
October 29, 2007
Dan & Kim,
We're very sorry about Oliver. He was a community leader and a great supporter of the children of Butte.
Laura Davis
October 29, 2007
Dear Sr. Diane,
I will miss hearing the antics of Ollie Steele. I know how dearly you loved him. I am so sorry for your loss.
Sincerely,
Laura
Tom & Vicki Krause
October 29, 2007
Marian, Duane, Helen and family
We are so sorry to hear about Oliver
He was a great person..You are all in our thoughts and prayers
Chuck and Judy Richardson
October 29, 2007
We have many special memories of times spent at Meadowview Lodges with Oliver, Helen and their family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Lonnie & Sharon McCollom
October 29, 2007
Dear Helen and the entire Family:
I was deeply saddened when I got to work this morning and read Dave's e-mail about Oliver's passing. Our family has always looked up to your family and have thought of you as the perfect Christian family. You are such loving, caring people. Oliver was deeply loved by all who knew him and is now at peace with the Lord. He was so well cared for by his loving family; you are all to be commended for that. Your wonderful memories must be unending and will bring great comfort to all of you.
We had hoped to be able to attend the funeral, but I am scheduled for a class in Missoula starting on Wednesday. We will send some money for you to have Masses said for our dear friend.
You are in our thoughts and prayers. May God bless all of you. We love you.
Patti Mahoney
October 29, 2007
Oliver was a wonderful man who was loved by many. The whole Steele family is in my thoughts and prayers. Oliver was one of a kind and will be missed.
Bob Harper
October 29, 2007
The family of Oliver Steele:
Oliver was a great man whose interests was always in the best interests of Butte.
He will be missed.
I will have a Mass said for his Soul.
May he rest in peace.
Bob Harper -- Butte, Mt
Barb Peoples
October 29, 2007
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Oliver was a kind and caring man who will be missed by many. God Bless!
Don & Barb Peoples and Family
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