Marilyn S. Steele dies at 71
Marilyn S. Steele age 71 of Fredericksburg died Monday, August 29, 2016, at her home.Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Septe. 3, 2016, at Hillcrest Baptist and Brethren Church in Fredericksburg, with Pastor Todd Yeaton officiating.Friends may greet the family 9 to 11 a.m. prior to the service at the church on Saturday.Marilyn Sue Steele was born Oct. 10, 1944, in Oakland, Calif., the daughter of James and Ruth (Newton) Richards. She moved to Grand Junction, Colo. and was a 1963 graduate of Central High School. She enrolled in beauty college and was a licensed hair stylist for several years. She met Dennis Steele in 1964 while he was attending Mesa Jr. College in Grand Junction. The couple was united in marriage on June 25, 1966. To this union two children, April and James were born.Marilyn and Dennis moved to Fort Collins, Colo., where Dennis enrolled at Colorado State University and Marilyn worked at Aqua-Pic Inc. After graduation from CSU, the couple and their son, James Everett moved to Fredericksburg where Dennis taught students in grades 7-12 and Marilyn was homemaker. During this time a daughter April Victoria was born. Along with caring for her two children, Marilyn took on child care to help family finances. The family attended Hillcrest Baptist Church where they and their children were baptized. Later, Marilyn took up painting where she and a business partner ran a successful wood craft business called Hearts’ Content for several years. Marilyn was also an excellent scrap-booker and the albums will be cherished forever.After retirement Marilyn and Dennis traveled to Arizona for three winter months to serve as volunteers at Rainbow Acres where Marilyn worked in the craft room helping the physically and mentally challenged adults. She was a volunteer there for nine years. Marilyn enjoyed gardening, traveling, attending concerts, camping, four-wheeling, scrapbooking, quilting, reading, making crafts and spending time with her grandchildren.Marilyn is survived by her husband, Dennis; children, James Everett (Andrea) Steele of Riverton, WY, April Victoria (Mark) Lechtenberg of Deep River, Iowa; eight grandchildren, Shelby (Cody) Schirmer, Cody Lechtenberg, Jolene Lechtenberg, Amber Lechtenberg, Laine Steele, Brock Steele, Summer Steele and Eli Steele; one brother, Danny (Judy) Richards of Grand Junction, CO; step -dad, Harold Guptill of Price, UT; brothers-in-law, David (Jean) Steele of Missoula, MT, Gary Steele of Wichita, KS sister-in-law, Marah (David) Rah.She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Larry Richards and two brothers in infancy.Memorials in Marilyn's honor may be directed towards Rainbow Acres, PO Box 1326 Camp Berde, AZ 86322
