Gertrude Martha Steele

Gert Steele completed her life’s journey on Saturday, January 28th, 2017. She was born August 6, 1927 in Crow Rock, Mont. to Gustave and Helen Neiffer. In 1932, the family moved to Miles City, Mont., where Gert spent the balance of her formative years. She attended Custer County High School and was a member of the graduating class of 1946. After Graduation, Gert worked for the Met Café in Miles City for a time before moving to Great Falls, Mont. In Great Falls, Gert found employment at Malmstrom AFB, where she worked in the NCO club on base. It was there she met her future husband, Dick Steele, and they were married on May 14, 1952. During their time in the Air Force, Gert and Dick were stationed at Malmstrom AFB Montana, Westover AFB in Massachusetts, Hickam AFB in Hawaii, Goose Bay Air Base in Labrador, and McGuire AFB in New Jersey. Upon Dick’s retirement from the Air Force, they moved back to Dick’s home town of Paradise, Mont. After arriving in Paradise, Gert worked for a short time at the D & L Café in Plains. Then she was hired by the American Legion Club in Paradise and served for many years as club Manager before retiring in 1989.

Gert was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Dick, in July 2000 as well as brothers Vic Neiffer of Miles City MT and Leo Neiffer of Ennis Mont. She is survived by her Sister, Alice Bickle of Bakersfield Calif, son, Rick Steele (Leah) of Kennewick, Wash., daughters Sandra Bryant (Mark) of Missoula, Mont., Carol Urion (Jim) of Plains, Mont. and stepson Dick Steele of Condon, Mont. as well as 15 grandchildren and great grandchildren.

A celebration of Gert’s life will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 22 at the Harvest Community Church of God in Plains with reception to follow.