Norman and Evelyn Steele

Norman Lee Steele age 96 of Olathe, Kansas, passed away on April 24, 2023, while living at the Nantucket Home.

He was born in Newkirk, Oklahoma on July 13, 1926. He was the son of the late Elmer and Clara Steele. Norman is survived by his three children, Deborah Holland (John), Randy Steele (Kathy) and Kevin Steele (Shelly). He is also survived by 7 grandchildren, Jeremy Holland, Melanie Miller, Shannon Scarcella, Kristen Kiesling, Ben Steele, Emma and Daphne Steele. He was very proud of his 13 great-grandchildren: Wyatt, Lillian and Meredith Holland, Weston and Henry Curnow, Rowen Miller, Ethan and Aubrey Scarcella, Andrew and Noah Kiesling, Abram, Naomie and Nile Steele.

Norman grew up in rural Oklahoma. When not farming, he participated in the school’s basketball and track teams. His senior year he held the state record in pole vaulting. His love of animals made him consider becoming a veterinarian but the demands of the farm and life itself in the 40’s did not allow him to pursue this endeavor. He met his soon to become bride, Evelyn Coleman, at a basketball game while he was refereeing. In June 1949 he married Evelyn and she was the love of his life until her passing September 3, 2021. Norman loved to dance, fish, hunt, play tennis and basketball, ride motorcycles and cook. He was a member of the Masons, Shriners and Mallard Club in Coffeyville.

Norman and Evelyn moved to Coffeyville, Kansas in 1953 where he worked for an IGA Grocery Store. Although he always exceeded expectations while working for others, he wanted to be in business for himself. In the early 60s he partnered with an investor and started the A&W Root Beer Drive-In. He also built, owned and maintained a carwash and grocery store. In his later years he bought and expanded a mini storage business. He and Evelyn moved to Olathe, Kansas in 2014 to be near their daughter and family.

He was great with numbers and used that skill in preparing food for groups of 10 or 200. Norman would fire up his large smoker and prepare ribs, chickens, sausage, turkeys or whatever people wanted. His grandchildren loved his homemade beef jerky. Whether you called him Dad, Grandpa, G-pa or friend, he was loved by those who knew him. He had a passion to help others and he will be missed by all of us.