Marena Steele

Marena Steele, 39, of Bismarck, passed away August 13, 2009, at her home. Funeral services will be held on Monday at 11:00 AM at Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Bismarck with Rev. Jeff Franko and Rev. Lisa Allness-Crane officiating. Visitation will be Sunday from 6:00 – 9:00 PM at Lord of Life Lutheran Church where a prayer service will be held at 7:00 PM. Visitation will continue on Monday one hour prior to the service at the church. Marena was born on October 3, 1969, to parents Darell & Kathy Hager at Bremerton Naval Hospital in Washington. She attended school in Conrad, MT, and graduated in 1988 from Conrad High School. She then attended Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA for one year and then transferred to the University of Montana in Missoula. Marena spent one year in Bethlehem, PA, as an associate youth director during her college years. She was so excited to be home that on her return trip she stopped and kissed the ground at the Montana border. Then she continued her education in Missoula where she graduated with honors with a Bachelors’ of Arts degree, specializing in elementary education. Marena married Troy Steele on April 27, 1996. They lived in Montana and Oakes, ND, and later moved to Bismarck. She worked as a youth director at Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Bismarck where she touched the hearts and lives of everyone. She recognized that her life works lay with children. Earlier she started her professional career in child care in Oakes with Beth Wolfe and continued in Bismarck starting Step by Step Daycare to spend more time with her children and to try to make a difference in the children that she learned to love so dearly.Marena’s most prized possessions were her husband, three children and all of her extended family. She is survived by her husband, Troy of Bismarck; her children, Arianna Lyn 9, Katrina Grace 6, and Jacob Alton 2, of Bismarck, her parents, Darell and Kathy Hager of Conrad, MT; her grandmother, LaVonne Hastings of Conrad, MT ; her aunts, Judy Rob Hastings-Goudette of Missoula. MT , Diana Cory Krumm of Billings, MT, Elizabeth Thomas Hashimoto of San Jose, CA, and Carol Sam McCormick of North Pole, Alaska; her uncles, Thomas Hastings of Conrad, MT, and Mark Peggy Hastings of Weatherford, TX ; her aunts and uncles, Margie and Bob Baker of Harlem, MT, and Trudy and Dick Lehrman of Wenatchee, WA; her mother-in-law, Joanne Kleese of Jamestown, ND; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Merlin and Sharon Steele of Jamestown ND; her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Chad and Teresa Steele of Jamestown, ND; and her sister-in-law, Tammy Gasal of West Fargo, ND. Marena enjoyed spending time with her beloved nine nieces and nephews, Mackenzie, Talexi and Blayke Gasal of West Fargo, ND, Brenden Pollert of Valley City, ND, Nicole Steele of Jamestown, ND, Alexius Anderson of Englevale, ND, KayLee and Brody Luck of Fargo, ND, and Jadyn Pollert of Fargo, ND; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her sisters, Stacy Sue and Lynda Lynette Hager; and her grandparents, Art and Verna Hager and David Hastings.

Marena Steele

October 3, 1969 - August 13, 2009