Desiree Steele

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to The Steele Family Benefit Fund at the Community Bank in Dunlap.

Desiree Ann (Smith) Steele was born November 3, 1961, to Harold and Cecilia (Sponsel) Smith in Manchester, Iowa. She was raised in Blairsburg, Iowa and graduated from Northeast Hamilton High School in 1980. Desi then attended Briar Cliff College and received her Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. Desi moved to Stamford, Connecticut to be a nanny and she met Robert Steele. Desi then moved to Dunlap to be close to her family. She worked for REM, helping mentally handicapped people, in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Desi married Robert on January 2, 1987, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church. She enjoyed being a stay at home mom and was also a substitute teacher.

Desi was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, the Altar Society, and she taught religious education as well. She was also a member of the library board and Friends of the Library. Desi loved her family and following all of their activities. She enjoyed playing the piano and guitar and enjoyed helping her children as they learned to play these instruments too. Desi captured her family's memories by scrap booking.

Desi died on Sunday, January 20, 2008, at the Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska attaining the age of 46 years, two months, and 17 days.

Desi is survived by her husband, Robert Steele; three children, Daniel, Alisha, and Brian Steele all of Dunlap, Iowa; parents, Harold and Cecilia Smith of Dunlap, Iowa; five brothers, Tony (Virginia) Smith of Woodbine, Iowa, Andrew (Lisa) Smith of Fremont, Nebraska, Allen (Monica) Smith of Lacey, Washington, Aaron (Mei) Smith of San Diego, California, Arnold (Diane) Smith of Blairsburg, Iowa; one sister, Amber Smith of Missouri Valley, Iowa; and many other relatives and friends.