Cover photo for Jewell Jeannine Steele's Obituary
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Jewell Jeannine Steele

September 8, 1928 — September 21, 2015

HAMILTON - Jewell Steele, 87, of Hamilton passed away Monday, September 21, 2015. Jewell was born September 8, 1928 in Carrington, ND to Earl and Pearl Houghton. Jewell and her family moved to the Bitterroot Valley when she was 8 years old. She graduated from Hamilton High School in 1946. Jewell married Howard Steele on September 18, 1948. They were married for 54 years.

Following high school, Jewell worked as a telephone switch board operator for 20 years. She then took over the bookkeeping duties for their business, H and R Auto Repair.

Jewell was committed to her family and her faith. She was a member of Faith Lutheran Church for over sixty years and was active in the Women's Circle. Jewell also enjoyed her fellowship with her friends at Canyon View Church. She was a very caring person, always taking time to visit those in need.

Jewell was very passionate about community service. She was a dedicated member of The American Legion Auxiliary, participating in their fund raising events selling fair ads and poppies. She was also one of the longest serving election officials in Ravalli County.
Jewell and Howard enjoyed many years of dancing and bowling together. She received a special recognition award for 50 years of league bowling, which she continued to do into her early eighties. Jewell treasured her friendships and always looked forward to her high school reunions. Jewell grew up in a very musical family and passed her love of music on to her children and grandchildren. She was well known for her baking talents, which she generously shared with her family, friends, and neighbors.

Jewell was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Howard; grandson, Justin Johnson; brothers, Glen, Verne, Garold, Eddie, Jack, Art, and Delbert Houghton; and sisters, Merna Lange and Nona Lester. Survivors include her children, Joy (Charles) McLain, Ron (Esther) Steele, Janet Johnson and Jody (Shawn) Maus; grandchildren, Ben (Ruth Lee), Jordan and Beth McLain; Meredith (Mike) Craig, Ryan (Mindy), Evan (Emily) and Nathan (Danielle) Steele, Kristy (Luke) Ellis, Amy Johnson, Jenna and Brian Maus; great-grandchildren, Hudson, Landon and Colson McLain, Bella and John Mark Craig, Autumn and Shiloh Steele, Harper and Lennox Steele, Grady Steele and Michael Holmquist; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Jewell's life will be held Friday, September 25th, at 10:00 am at the Daly Leach Chapel in Hamilton with a reception following in the funeral home's community room. Burial will take place following the reception at Riverview Cemtery.

The family suggests that memorials be made to the Justin Johnson Memorial Art Scholarship Fund at Farmers State Bank.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Jewell Jeannine Steele, please visit our flower store.

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