MARLENE LORAINE STEELE

September 1st, 1937 – October 17th, 2026

It is with profound sorrow that the family of Marlene Loraine Steele announces her passing on Saturday, October 17th, 2026, while a palliative care patient at the Dr. F.H. Wigmore Regional Hospital in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.  

Marlene was born September 1st, 1937 at Parkbeg, SK, the daughter of Milton (Casey) and Mildred Steele.  She was educated at Parkbeg elementary and high school and upon graduation, took on domestic duties for the Curling Campbell family of Avonlea, SK.  

In 1955 Marlene joined the Royal Canadian Air Force, training in Aylmer, Ontario and Greenwood, Nove Scotia, to be a Safety Equipment Technician tasked with the safe packing of parachutes and other equipment for RCAF colleagues.  She was proud of her abilities to contribute to the defence of her country — even though her dad thought she should have joined the Army.  Some spirited debates ensued whenever she was home on leave.  Her RCAF service took her to postings in Cold Lake, AB and Trenton, ON.  

While growing up in Parkbeg, Marlene was an active ball player and hockey player, travelling to surrounding communities in all the seasons.  She continued her love for baseball and was an avid fan of the Toronto Blue Jays.  

She was very young when Casey enlisted in the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps during the Second World War and she often talked about the hardships faced by her mother, being left at home to raise Marlene and her older brother, Roscoe.  And she especially remembered the occasion when the stove overheated and caught on fire.  She laughed that Roscoe was nearly drowned by the water he passed up the ladder to his mother, hence his aversion to any water sports for the rest of his life.  Marlene also remembered the challenges faced in a small town and marvelled at the resilience of her mother in rising to overcome many hardships of the war years.  

Marlene and her family moved to Calgary, AB in 1967 where she worked for close to 30 years as a fashion buyer and security supervisor at one of that city’s K-Marts.  She moved to Moose Jaw in 1998 to be closer to her mother and other members of her family.  One of the highlights of the move was being present when her mother received a posthumous medal from the Dutch Consul General for her dad’s contribution to the liberation of Holland.  She was also active with the Parkbeg School reunion committee that brought several hundred former residents back to Parkbeg.  Marlene recently received her 55th year medal and bar as a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, being a member in Trenton, Calgary and most recently, Branch 59 Moose Jaw.  

She was predeceased by her maternal grandparents, Durward and Clara Castiday, and paternal grandparents, George and Lona Steele; father, Milton Steele in 1994; mother, Mildred Steele in 2005; brother, Roscoe Steele in 2010; sister-in-law, Marcene Steele in 2014; nephews, Pat Steele and David Steele; as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.  Marlene is survived by her sons: Gerry Dyck (Debbie Cooney) of Regina, SK, Rod Dyck (Arlis O’Neill) of Strathmore, AB, Reg (Kim) Dyck of Moose Jaw, SK, and Calvin Dyck of Champion, AB; granddaughters: Carly Dyck of Moose Jaw, Ana Klein (Will) of Chestermere, AB, and Kara (Evan) Baker of Columbia, Missouri; grandsons, Shawn and Dustin Cooney; great granddaughters: Remi Gearey of Moose Jaw, Sophia and Quinn Smail of Chestermere; and Alexa Cooney of Regina Beach, SK; sister, Joyce (Ron) Walter of Moose Jaw; and nephews, Scott (Christine) Steele of Fort Saskatchewan and Jim (Lynnette) Steele of St. Albert, AB, and their families.  She is also survived by a special cousin, Lyla Payne of Coronach, SK; as well as numerous other cousins and special friends.  

The family extends sincere appreciation to Dr. Volker Rininsland for his care and compassion as Marlene’s family doctor for many years.  

The Funeral Service will be held Saturday, November 7th, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Moose Jaw Funeral Home.  Reverend Doug Shepherd will officiate, and interment will take place in Rosedale Cemetery.  Legion rites will be conducted by Comrade Sue Knox.  In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in Marlene’s name be made to the Poppy Fund of Branch 59, Moose Jaw Royal Canadian Legion, 693 Fairford St W, Moose Jaw, SK S6H 7P8.  Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane.  Michelle Ellis, Funeral Director 306-693-4550