Frederick Victor "Ferd" Steece

Frederick "Ferd" Victor Steece was born on March 23, 1931, in Sioux Falls, SD to Fred and Alice (Gallagher) Steece. He was the fourth of four boys with whom he fought, laughed, pulled pranks, played with various firearms (with live rounds no less), and smoked anything that they could roll. He graduated from Cathedral High School in Sioux Falls and attended the University of SD in Vermillion where he obtained a bachelor's degree in geology and master's degrees in geology and chemistry. After he graduated with his BA, he enlisted into the army as a construction draftsman for 2 years. After being discharged from the army, he returned to the University and earned his MA. While working for the SD Geological Survey he met and married the love of his life, Judy Groves, to whom he had been married to for 64 years. Together they had 3 children they raised in Rapid, SD and were eventually blessed with 3 granddaughters who have forever after been their pride and joy. In his twilight years he was blessed for a third time with 3 beautiful GREAT grandchildren, all of whom he held dear and if possible, loved even more. Fred continued to work for the SD Geological Survey as Assistant State Geologist for his entire 60-year career. He was a member of Rotary for almost the entirety of his career and held various leadership roles within the club. During his tenure as a Rotarian, one of the service projects he was most proud of was the re-creation of the children's theme park, Story Book Island, that he and his fellow Rotarians re-built after the 1972 flood in Rapid City. When he finally retired at 80 years of age, Fred found great pleasure in woodworking and tinkering with electronics and small machines, using leftover parts or parts he created from scraps all in an effort to make the original design better/sturdier. He forever had a project to work on sitting on his work bench and some of them even got finished.
He was held in highest esteem by his friends and colleagues and was dearly loved by his family. He will be greatly missed and held forever in our hearts.
Fred was survived in death by his wife, Judy; daughter, Renee Murphy; son, Vic Steece; and daughter, Dorothy (Stan) Landon all of Ankeny, IA; granddaughters, Kristi Murphy, Amanda (Brandon) Howe, and Stephanie Murphy; great grandchildren, Jolie Harrison and Lance & Arthur Howe; brother, Mark (Jan) Steece; and nieces and nephews throughout the US. He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Alice Steece and brothers Richard "Dick" & John Steece.