Mildred Steele

Mildred Elaine (Rainey) Steele, best known as “Millie” to her friends and family, was born on April 29, 1935 in Dodge City, Kansas.  Millie was the youngest of 14 children born to Dillard and Hannah (Willems) Rainey.  Millie attended school in Ashland, Kansas, later earning her GED and her CNA certification. Millie married Bill Steele on July 17, 1964 in Wheaton, Illinois, settling in Ashland, April of 1975 to raise their four children Mary Jane, Bryan, James, and Beverly.  Millie’s life was full of watching her children during various sport activities and music performances and contests.  Millie was a gardener and she loved canning the food that she grew, and loved crocheting and reading in her spare time.  Millie served the Ashland and surrounding communities as a nurse’s aide and worked at the Ashland Health Center for over 18 years.  Millie was a member of the First Christian Church in Ashland for over 70 years. Millie served on the First Christian Church Women’s Service Group. Millie and Bill were married for 51 years. Millie was preceded in death by her parents; seven brothers, Willard, Henry, Sylvester Clay, Grant Ulysses, Calvin Coolidge, Donald, Delbert; five sisters, Annabell Smith, Ruth Booth, Viola Legg, Maurine Routon, and Cora Cravens. Millie won the fight against Alzheimer’s, finally succumbing to pneumonia, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, January 14, 2016 age the age of 80 years old. Millie is survived by her husband of the home William “Bill” Steele; two sons, Bryan Lee Steele and James Joseph Steele; two daughters, Mary Jane Steele and Beverly Sue Snyder; one sister Phyllis Buchman; six grandchildren, nieces, and nephews, and many other family members and friends.  Family suggest in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Ashland Health Center – Long Term Care Unit, 709 Oak Street, Ashland, KS  67831.