Maggie Steele

Maggie Steele, 78, of Grand Island, formerly of Norfolk passed away at home on Friday, April 11, 2025. Memorial services will be held on April 22, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. at Third City Christian Church, visitation will begin at 9 a.m. Pastor Chris Mason will officiate. This is the story of the well-lived life of Maggie Steele, a woman of steadfast faith who was always unafraid to take an unconventional path in pursuit of what she believed was right. It began on August 9, 1946, when she was born Margaret Elizabeth in the home of her parents, Merle and Mary (Slot) Young in rural Palmyra, Nebraska. She was their fifth child and spent her childhood and youth with her older sister and brothers, and a younger sister in that home and attending school in Douglas and a country school. When she was a teenager, her family moved to Lincoln, and she graduated from Lincoln Southeast in 1964. She then moved to Norfolk, Nebraska to attend Nebraska Christian College where she met and married the love of her life, Phil Steele. Their wedding took place on July 26, 1969, at First Christian Church, and they settled in Norfolk where they began their family and lived for a total of 42 years raising their 7 children and enjoying an active life in their church and community. She was a stay-at-home mom and eventually a homeschooling mom, which meant she spent many hours taking her children to piano lessons and extracurricular and church activities, and provided extensive help with their many 4-H projects. She also planted a big garden every year and spent a lot of time canning and freezing fruits and vegetables. Maggie loved to serve her church and community in many ways: church committees, coaching Bible Bowl, teaching Sunday School, serving as a member of Norfolk's child abuse prevention council, delivering Meals on Wheels, visiting the elderly in their homes, making several missions trips to a children's home in Piedras Negras, Mexico, teaching ESL at the local community college, and serving as a member of the local community concert committee. Somehow, she still always found time to help any friend in need, or to give a pretty decent perm or haircut. She also found time to be a lifelong learner. As an adult, she took piano and Spanish lessons, furniture building and refinishing classes with her husband, and completed an A.A degree in elementary education. In the mid-90s, Maggie started to suffer the effects of a condition called Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency which she and her siblings all inherited. Eventually, it compromised her liver to the point of requiring a transplant, and we rejoiced on Christmas Day, 2004, when she received a donor liver and underwent a successful transplant. It was her joy and honor to later meet the family of her donor. In May 2011, Maggie and Phil moved to Webb City, Missouri, immediately following the massive tornado that hit neighboring Joplin. They spent the next few years volunteering in tornado relief efforts, and of course they quickly involved themselves at Christ's Church Oronogo. She enjoyed preparing shoes for Sole Hope to be worn in Uganda and spent time providing childcare for the local MOPs chapter. In 2021, Phil and Maggie moved to Grand Island, Nebraska, where they enjoyed living just down the street from their youngest daughter and her family. Though she obviously loved to serve others, she also loved reading, shopping, sewing and quilting, flowers (especially roses, pansies, and lilacs,) cats, and a good bargain (though she would never gamble, she could never resist the Hy-Vee mystery bargain bags!) As their children grew and moved, Phil and Maggie enjoyed traveling to see them, which included a trip to South Korea and a few to Hawaii. Maggie obviously loved babies, as she had seven of them, but maybe loved her babies' babies even more. She was always ready to help with any of her 15 grandchildren! On April 11, 2025, Maggie's story didn’t end, rather a sequel began when she left her earthly body for a never-ending story of pure joy in Heaven. Now mourning her loss are her beloved husband Phil Steele, and children: Jolene Steele (Mark Murphy) of Vernon, New Jersey; Sally (Chris) George of Johnson City, Tennessee, Cathy Steele of Bakersfield, California; Angie (Danny) Jones of Columbus, Ohio; Megan (Chris) Mason of Port Charlotte, Florida; Chrissie (Andrew) Bernal of Grand Island, Nebraska; and Silas (Lindsey) Steele of Caney, Kansas. Also her grandchildren: Aaliyah and Gemma George; DJ Jones; Maddie, Micah, and Merrit Mason; Jaxon, Carter, Bella, and Mya Bernal; and Aislyn, Eben, Telic, Keirland, and Nia Steele. As well as her younger sister, Mary Farber of Lincoln, and many nieces, nephews, in-laws, and dear friends. Preceding her in death were her parents; her sister, Dolores Miles; and brothers Bill, Bob, and Jim Young. Maggie certainly lived the life of a good and faithful servant, and we rejoice in our firm belief that she is now enjoying her eternal reward.

Maggie Steele

August 9, 1946 - April 11, 2025

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Maggie Steele

August 9, 1946 - April 11, 2025

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

365 Days of Grief Support