Maxine Anna Steele

Maxine Anna Steele (Gieser) was born August 11, 1922 on a farm northwest of Hartley, to Adolph and Alvena (Schmoll) Gieser. Her memory will be treasured by her loving husband of 71 years, Robert Steele; sons Lester, Larry (Elaine), and Brian, and daughters Kathleen Eggers(Bill), Judy Lestina (Jim), and Lori Hubin (Deen). She will be missed by grandchildren Glenda, Brad, Robert F. , Sherry, Brooke and Rodney, Jill, Joy, Catherine and Ian. Mom was also thrilled to have 4 great-grandchildren. She will be missed also by many other friends and relatives. Maxine contracted polio at 16 months of age. She attended country school, graduated from Hartley High School and then from Nettleton School of Business in Sioux City. On August 17, 1940, Maxine was united in marriage with Robert Steele of Sutherland. After a short stint on a farm south of Sutherland, they took up residence on a farm northeast of Sutherland, where they lived for 61 years and raised 6 children. Through the years she also held several jobs outside the home; the most recent of those with the Hartley Sentinel. They moved to assisted living and then the Community Memorial Healthcare Center in Hartley, where she entered eternal life on September 24, 2011. Mom was a 4-H leader for many years, taught Sunday School at Trinity United Church of Christ, gardened, sewed, and enjoyed travel, reading and handicrafts, especially crocheting. She crocheted afghans for each of her grandchildren and many others as well. Several years ago, Maxine was the driving force behind creation of the Northwest Iowa Polio Survivors Support Group. Through that organization, she has helped educate many people about the debilitating late effects of polio, when overworked muscles begin to atrophy. She has had numerous articles published in local papers and in the book "My Folks and the Family Farm", which is a treasury of farm stories. She was asked to write her story about polio, which will be published in a future book through the State Library of Iowa. As part of her struggle with the disease, Mom has donated her body to Creighton University for research. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

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