Frances Steele

On January 20th, 2022, Frances June Steele peacefully passed to her Heavenly home. Her beautiful life will forever be cherished in the lives of her husband, Donald Steele; the families of her stepchildren Donnie Steele and Diana Martinez (both of Phoenix, AZ); brother Leland and Sharon Gurss (Thornton, CO); and the families of her three nephews, Greg Gurss (Folsom, CA); Ronnie Gurss (San Diego, CA); Gary Gurss (Thornton, CO). She is preceded in death by her parents, Alfred Gurss and Opal McLean Gurss.

On October 9th, 1941, Frances was born in St. Francis, Kansas, and then raised in Kirk, Colorado. She attended Kirk Grade School and was a graduate of Liberty High School. While in Kirk, she professed her faith in Jesus Christ as a member of the Baptist Church.

Fran was united in holy matrimony to Donald Steele on August 18th, 1973. They celebrated over 48 years of a dedicated partnership.

Mrs. Steele earned a business studies degree from Otero Junior College before working at Capitol Federal Savings. She started as an entry-level file clerk and steadfastly advanced to the Senior Vice President of Operations. After leaving the bank, she worked for a few months at Security Archives Records Storage to help a friend before officially retiring. Fran’s college and work friends can attest to her diligent and disciplined work ethic that propelled her professional success in a time when the ladder to the top was not easy for any woman.

Once retired from banking, Fran accepted a role she took the most pride in - full-time Auntie Fran. She held a special place in her heart for each family member. She relentlessly supported every step-grandchild, nephew, great-nephew, and great-niece through life’s highs and lows. Fran’s greatest joy came from the time spent with Jarred Gurss, her great-nephew, taking care of him while his parents worked.

Evident to all who knew Fran, the family was most important to her, and this included her many friends she considered part of her family. In her final chapter, Fran spent much time with her loved ones cherishing precious memories, and she constantly reminded them that she believed she had an extraordinary life filled with love.