Hester Pauline Steele, 94, of Burlington, Iowa, died Thursday, January 15, 2026, at the New London Care Center in New London, Iowa.
Born on December 9, 1931, in Franklin Township, Prairie Grove, Iowa. She was the daughter of Fred Schilb and Gladys Boughton.
On October 28, 1948, she married Charles Steele Sr. Of that union, they had seven children. They later divorced.
Hester attended Kirksville Community College and received a degree in Early Childhood Development. She worked for and retired from Burlington Headstart School as a teacher for over twenty-nine years. In Hester's free time, she loved to do embroidery, paint, sew, and crochet. She was known for crocheting hundreds of kitchen scrubbers. She loved nothing more than being with her family, especially the grandchildren, who brought her joy. Hester once said, “I went from being a mother, to grandmother, to great grandmother, to great-great grandmother, I just keep on getting GREATER!” She was very proud of her family.
She is survived by her seven children: Paula (Calvin) Keziah of Seven Springs, North Carolina, Nancy DeFosse, Lucinda (Dale) Miller, Karen Armstrong, Christine Dorsey, all of Burlington, Chuck (Ruby) Steele of Morning Sun, and Jim Steele of Gladstone; thirteen grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Susan Wisener of West Burlington, and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, five sisters, and a grandson, Mike.
Per her wishes, cremation has been entrusted and accorded to the care of Lunning Chapel. Burial will be held in Prairie Grove Cemetery.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.