Eunice Irene Steele was born on October 25, 1918 in Galion, OH to Chester Earl and Ida Alethea (Shifley) Tupps and went to be with Jesus on October 22, 2021 at 102 years of age. She died of natural causes. She had four siblings: Florence Marie McCluskey, Howard Layton Tupps, Calvin Leo Tupps and Norma Perkins.
Her parents moved by train to East Lake, CO with Florence and Eunice when she was two years old. Her dad began dry land farming north of Watkins and relocated the family from East Lake eight years later. Eunice helped her dad with farm work especially loved driving the tractors. During the dust bowl years, she accompanied him coyote hunting for the bounty which supplemented the family income. Eunice loved helping with all the farming. She loved animals. Two that were extra special to her were “Curly,” her horse and “Peggy,” her dog.
She attended a one-room schoolhouse at Bear Gulch and graduated from Bennett High School.
In 1937, Eunice married Leo Vernon Nygaard. They lived in Denmark, KS for seven years, then moved back to the homeplace in Watkins. They had five daughters and one son; Aletha Christine, Myrtis Marie, Verna Ruth, Jan Lea, Jerry Leo and Sena Petrea. They were divorced in 1964.
Eunice went to beauty school to become a hairdresser. She loved working with hair and making her clients feel special. After her salon in Byers flooded, she opened and ran her own shop on the homeplace where she could work and still be available for her children.
In 1966, Eunice married Russell Shannon Steele, who had two sons, Donald Russell and Robert Curtis. Eunice and Russell were known to do everything together – attending all their children’s activities and eventually as many of the grandchildren’s as possible, they worked together (E&R Electric and driving the school bus). They loved to travel visiting family and friends from coast to coast. But most of all they loved the Lord with all their heart. They were always involved with their church and helped other ministries as well. They memorized scriptures and songs and recorded their devotional time plus a special message for all their children. During their 33 ½ wonderful years of marriage, they lived in Bennett, CO, Sun Lakes, AZ, and back to Aurora, CO.
Eunice was a great cook, always had her hands busy with sewing, crocheting and needlework. She never stopped learning. She learned to swim late in life and loved the technology of computers, email and internet.
Eunice was preceded in death by her parents, four siblings, her husband, Russell, and her son. Those left to miss her are Aletha (FL); Myrtis (MI); Donald/Cassie (CO); Verna/Dale (TN); Jan (CO); Robert/Deanna (KS); Sena/Darryl (CA); 18 grandchildren; 65 great-grandchildren; and 22 great-great grandchildren.
Due to covid restraints, there will be a celebration of life for Eunice in May of 2022. Please check back for more information.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.AdvantageAurora.com for the Steele family.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18