Memorial
John N. Steel, 93, died February 16, 2015, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice of Mercy. Services 3:00 Friday, February 20, 2015, Cedar Memorial Westside Chapel with Rev. Mike Andrew officiating. Burial: Bolckow Cemetery, MO, at a later date. Cedar Memorial Westside Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
John Norlin Steel was born February 5, 1922 to J. Robert Steel and Nelle Marie Norlin in Bedford, Iowa. He grew up on the family farm and graduated from Bedford High School in 1939. He was chosen by his high school music teacher to direct the band for one number at a concert in his senior year, because he was the best student conductor. After graduation he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps, (CCC) and signed with the National Guard in 1940. He joined the Army from 1941 to 1943, finishing his service with the Infantry in December 1945.
He was united in marriage to Janice Dougan on May 10, 1946 at the Baptist Church in Bedford. She died in 2002. They had one daughter Joyce Steel Thenhaus. John moved his family to Atkins, Iowa in 1955 to work at the State Employment Office in Cedar Rapids. In 1958 he transferred to the Social Security Administration, where he worked as a claims representative until retirement in December 1983. He was a member of Atkins Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church from 1956 until his death. He loved all his church family. He was a member of the Linn County Rose Society for many years, and loved growing and sharing roses from his garden. In later years he enjoyed traveling to Colorado to visit relatives and attending reunions of the 113th Cavalry Band. He was much loved and will be missed by family and many friends.
Surviving is a daughter Joyce Thenhaus and her fiancé JR Rupert of Cedar Rapids; Nephews, Jack M. Holt, Boulder Colorado, R.L. “Larry” Holt, Cardiff, California, Frank Holt, Arvada, Colorado, many other nieces and nephews, sister Edith Dye, Carroll, Texas, and many friends from Atkins, Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church and Mt. Herman Lodge in Cedar Rapids.
Memorials may be given in his name to the Atkins Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church.