Richard Eugene Steele, 1926-2012. Mildred Louise Tracy Steele, 1929-2018.

Mom and Dad’s final wish came to reality on August 26, 2018. Mom left this world that day and they had made a promise to each other that one would not be buried before the other. We didn’t know we would wait six years for this event. Their ashes were buried together on Oct. 20, 2018, at Oak Hill Cemetery in San Jose, Calif. 

We are having a special memorial service for those who could not make it to California at Sagle Senior Citizen Center on this Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018. Mom would have been 89 on Nov. 21. Please come join us at 11 a.m. in Sagle, Idaho.

Mom and Dad were an inspiring couple with a remarkable life. They were married 64 years, it would have been 70 years this last January. They met and married and had their family in Felton, Calif. They retired in 1994 on their dream land and home near Priest River, Idaho. Dad loved the ocean and fishing, mom loved people, they both loved the snow and living here in the north country.

Richard Eugene Steele was born on March 25, 1926, to Fred and Alma Steele in San Jose, Calif. San Jose at that time was all orchard country. During the Great Depression they had plenty to eat. Richard, at 15 years old, along with one brother, Gordon, and his father joined the California militia. Chuck, Richard and Gordon were three adventurous boys, and were inseparable growing up in a very close family. They hiked, fished, camped and invented and built whatever they wanted.

Richard was trained as an aircraft mechanic during his service in the Marines during World War II, and after his honorable discharge he began working at United Air Lines in 1946. He met and married Mildred in 1948. He always lived as a Marine — for God, for family, for U.S. Constitution, semper fi, oorah.

Both Richard and Mildred’s lives changed when they invited God’s grace to come into their lives in 1968. This also influenced their children’s lives — every one of the five children accepted God’s grace, Jesus Christ, into their lives. This also impacted the community in which they lived, as Dad lived out his mission by being a caregiver for Mom when she started showing dementia symptoms. 

Mildred Louise Tracy Steele was born during the depression year in Lee Summit, Mo., on Nov. 21, 1929, to Cecil and Lillian Tracy. She was the last living of seven siblings — George, Nora, Esther, Mildred, Marvin, David, and Larry. The Lininger family reunion was a yearly event that she always looked forward to. Her family moved to Raytown, Mo., in 1940. After her high school graduation, she went to school to become a certified comptometer operator, working in Kansas City before moving to Burlingame, Calif., with her sister Esther. They were inseparable and continued to be close even after they started their families. She was working at Greyhound Bus Lines when she met and married Richard. 

After raising their five children (Ron, Gary, Debbie, Janet, Doug) in Felton, Mildred pursued her associate’s degree as a radiology technician and later received a certificate of proficiency for working 12 years. While raising her children, she was very active in school activities and monitored at school recesses, lunches and other functions. Family hiking and camping outings were regular events. 

In 1992, they moved to Priest River and retired on their property in 1994. Mildred and Richard were very active in the community and received many letters of appreciation for their support of constitutional issues, legislative issues and kept up on the current political changes. They loved God and as born again Christians, were faithful to the churches they attended and to the many missionaries they supported. They heartily supported and would often help out at Cross Bar X Youth Ranch in Durango, Colo., a Christian ministry that helped inner city children. Mom and Dad had a special bond together due to their love of gardening. They also started a successful family saw sharpening business and managed it until health issues prevented them continuing. 

Dad loved Mom and was devoted to her as her caregiver. He took her everywhere with him after he saw her health failing. His caregiving example continued to promote the family ideals they both believed in. His unrelenting love for Mom gave Mom’s life meaning and purpose. Mildred wrote this: “My greatest desire and prayer is for all to make their own special request for Jesus Christ, God’s Son, to be their own personal savior.” 

They are now experiencing that special reunion in heaven with all who believe as Mom wrote, “And it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this is the judgment, so Christ was once offered to heal the sins of many.” She believed what Christ said, “I will never leave you nor forsake thee” and that was what kept her going when she wanted to give up. Richard was the visual form of that and it was their wish that they leave this earth together.  

Richard and Mildred have 21 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

The family of Richard and Mildred Steele, invite you to a special memorial/reunion will be held for friends and family in North Idaho and Washington at 11 a.nm. on Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, at Sagle Senior Citizen Center, 650 Monarch Road, Sagle.