Josephine Jo Steele

Josephine “Jo” Steele, 94, of Creston, Iowa passed away Monday, January 7, 2019, at Greater Regional Hospital, Creston, Iowa. Mass of Christian Burial Services will be 10:00 A.M., Friday, January 11, 2019, at the Holy Spirit Catholic Church, with Fr. Kenneth Halbur Jr., Celebrant. Open visitation with family receiving friends will be 9:00 – 10:00 A.M., Friday, January 11, 2019 at the church. Private burial will be held at a later date at Calvary Cemetery, Creston, Iowa. Pearson Family Funeral Service & Cremation Center is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be directed to: the Holy Spirit Catholic Church; the Gibson Memorial Library; Girl Scouts of America; or Union County 4-H. On-line condolences may be left at www.pearsonfuneralhomes.com.

Josephine Bernadine (Szkutnik) Steele, the daughter of Joseph and Anna Julia (Maciag) Szkutnik, was born January 10, 1924, in Brooklyn, New York. She graduated from Straubenmuller Textile High School in Brooklyn, New York in January 1941, where she was a member of the National Honor Society and Newman Club. She was united in marriage to Franklin Steele on October 16, 1944, in New York City, New York, while Franklin was serving in the United States Navy. Five children were born to bless this union: Linda; Kris; Clint; Joel and Joseph.
During the war Jo worked for an import/export business in downtown Brooklyn, New York. Jo moved to Creston in November of 1945 at the close of World War II, and worked as a homemaker taking care of her family. She was an active housewife. She was also active in the St. Malachy Parish and later the Holy Spirit Parish. Jo was a member of the Creston Council of Catholic Women and the Catholic Daughters of America. Jo enjoyed traveling, playing golf and bridge. She especially enjoyed her children’s and grandchilden’s activities. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Left to cherish Jos memory are her children: Linda (Craig) Neppl, Estherville, Iowa; Kris (Bob) Kerrigan, Afton, Iowa; Clint (Mary Kay) Steele, Ames Iowa; Joel Steele, Shawnee, Oklahoma; grandchildren: Brent (Emma) Neppl; Stephanie Neppl; Derek (Gina) Neppl; Curtis (Melissa) Neppl; Wade (Jessica) Kerrigan; Angee (Dave) Simmons; Alex (Missy) Kerrigan; Rachel (Kevin) Thomas; Angie (Matt) Sherwood; Andrea (Ryan) Rock; Anna (Dan) Kaminski; great-grandchildren: Evie, Lucas, Taylor, Laney, Samantha, and Maya Neppl, Eileen, Julia, and Georgia Kerrigan; Flannery and Finn Simmons; Amelie, Frankie, and Genevieve Kerrigan; Roy, Audrey, and Margot Thomas; Ava, Reese, and Vera Rock, Josephine, Jackson, and Jerry Sherwood, Clark Kaminski; sister-in-law: Kay Glover, Hideaway,Texas.
Preceding Jo in death were her parents; husband Franklin; infant son, Joseph Dwight; brother, Matthew Szkutnik; sister, Amelia Mauser; sisters-in-law: Margaret Pontow and Doris Steele; brothers-in-law: Bill Steele, Ben Pontow, and Jack Glover.