Twelfth Generation

131. Robert Elmer "Bob" STEELE¹ was born on 31 July 1924 in Warrens, Lincoln Township, Monroe County, WI.^59,108 He graduated in 1941 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.^43,109 from Tomah High School. After 1951 he was a pharmacist in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.¹⁰⁸ He owned Steele's Rexall Drug Store, which was at one time the first drug store in Tomah, started by Lucius Smith Adelbert Griggs in the 1860's. Bob died on 8 July 2006 at the age of 81 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.¹⁰⁵

Obituary Notes: "Robert E. Steele, age 81, of Tomah, passed away Saturday, July 8, 2006, at his home surrounded by his family. He was born on July 31, 1924, in Sparta, Wisconsin to Ray and Vera (Griswold) Steele. He attended grade school in Warrens, Wisconsin and graduated as the Valedictorian of his class from Tomah High School in 1941.

Following high school he enrolled in the University of Wisconsin - Madison, School of Pharmacy. His education was interrupted for a tour of duty with the Eighth Air Force during World War II in which he served as a B17 pilot in the European Theater. In 1945, he was united in marriage to Arlys Johnson.

Upon his discharge from the military, he returned to Madison and graduated from the Wisconsin School of Pharmacy in 1947. That same year he began his employment with the A.M. Peterson Drug Store in Tomah. In 1951, he became owner and president of Steele's Rexall Drug. He operated the drugstore until 1989 when he sold it to his son, Jim Steele.

Bob was a pillar in the Tomah community and served on many city organizations such as: Chamber of Commerce, Tomah School Board, Monroe County Republican Committee, Tomah Savings and Loan Board, Timberwood Bank Board, Tomah Police and Fire Commission Board, Zor Shrine, Tomah Lodge F. & A.M. #132, Tomah V.F.W and American Legion. He took an active part in many other political activities and has served in various capacities on the federal, state and county level.

Above his community involvement, Bob loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He had many friends and will be sadly missed by each of them. Though he suffered many physical set backs due to his health, he kept a great attitude and good sense of humor. He touched many lives and had a special effect on everyone he met.

He is survived by his wife, Arlys; children, Jim (Kathy) Steele of Tomah, John (Carolyn) Steele of Manhatten, Mont., Jackie (Tom) Flock of Tomah, Jerry (Barb) Steele of Tomah, and Jenny (Kevin) McCoy of Tomah; 14 grandchildren, Ryan (Shana) Steele, Aaron Steele, Robert (Cerece) Steele, Maria Steele, Susan Murdock, Mandy (Jeff) Brieske, Megan (Travis) Mockler, Andy (Fiance', Katie) Steele, Heather, Holly and Matthew Steele, Molly, Emily and Luke McCoy and 8 great grandchildren; a sister, Dorothy (Bob) Barber of San Diego, CA; nieces, nephews, many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, July 11, 2006, 11:00 a.m. at the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Tomah. Pastor William Rice will officiate. Burial with full military honors by VFW Post #1382 and American Legion Post #201, will follow in the Oak Grove Cemetery, Tomah."

Robert Elmer "Bob" STEELE and Arlys Lorraine JOHNSON were married on 6 June 1945 in Warrens, Lincoln Township, Monroe County, WI.^77,108,110 Arlys Lorraine JOHNSON, daughter of Mandus Simon JOHNSON and Alta Lorraine MOORE, was born on 15 September 1924 in La Crosse, La Crosse County, WI.¹¹⁰ She died on 25 June 2012 at the age of 87 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.¹¹⁰

Obituary Notes: "Arlys Lorraine Steele, 87, of Tomah, passed away Monday, June 25, 2012, at the Serenity House in Tomah. She was born Sept. 15, 1924, to Mandus and Alta (Moore) Johnson in La Crosse. She was raised in Viroqua and was a 1942 graduate of Viroqua High School.

Arlys was united in marriage to Robert E. Steele June 6, 1945, in Warrens. They were active members of the Tomah community. She was a member of Tomah Shakespeare Club, Monroe County Historical Society, Tomah Area Historical Society and Museum and the Warrens crochet group. She also enjoyed reading, needlework and crocheting. Arlys was a dedicated caretaker for many years, a job she never complained about. She loved her family more than anything.

She is survived by her children, Jim (Kathy) Steele of Tomah, John (Carolyn) Steele of Manhatten, Mont., Jackie (Tom) Flock of Tomah, Jerry Steele of Tomah and Jenny (Kevin) McCoy of Tomah; 14 grandchildren, Ryan (Shana) Steele, Aaron Steele, Robert (Cerece) Steele, Maria (Levi) Ployhar, Susan Murdock, Mandy (Jeff) Brieske, Megan (Travis) Mockler, Andy (Katie) Steele, Heather (Tyler) Laudon, Holly (Ryan) Winchel, Matthew (Jill) Steele, Molly (Dustin) Powell, Emily (Chad) Richmond and Luke McCoy; 18 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Arbah (Bonnie) Johnson and Charles (Shirley) Johnson, all of Wichita, Kan.; sister and brother-in-law, Dorothy (Robert) Barber of San Diego; nieces; nephews; other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Mandus and Alta, and her husband, Bob.

Funeral services will be held Friday, June 29, 2012, at 3 p.m. at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah. Pastor Sue Sheffer-Meyer will officiate. Burial will follow in the Oak Grove Cemetery, Tomah. Family and friends are invited for visitation Friday from noon until the time of service at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Peace Lutheran Church of Tomah or Tomah Hospice Touch."

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Robert Elmer "Bob" STEELE and Arlys Lorraine JOHNSON had the following children: