Ellen Mae Steele

Ellen Mae (Reeder) Steele, age 53, of Kearney, former Shelton resident, went to live with and be cared for by the Lord. Ellen passed at 1:23 p.m. Friday, October 7, 2022, at CHI Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney.

After a series of three strokes since July 18, 2022, Ellen was closely monitored and taken care of by her family in her home which she loved.

Funeral services were held at First Baptist Church in Kearney on Monday, October 17, with Pastor Sean Dougherty officiating. Burial was at the Wood River Cemetery alongside her father, mother and baby brother, Glen.

Ellen was born to a very loving family, Leland and Leona Reeder, on December 8, 1968, in Grand Island.

Ellen grew up in Shelton and received her education at Shelton School.

She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Kearney and enjoyed being part of the church family and choir.

Since Ellen was totally blind for almost 15 years, she enjoyed spending time with her three children and her significant other, Dwain Stefka, of nearly 15 years. She loved sitting in the sun listening to audio books and the thunder from thunderstorms, drinking chai teas, and playing with animals, kitty cats and puppy dogs. Ellen enjoyed listening to stories reflecting on her heritage where she was part Lakota Sioux Native American. She loved listening to music and having visitors.

Survivors include her three loving children, Craig Schutt, Tiffany Gawrych, and Bethany Gawrych; significant other, Dwain Stefka; four brothers and one sister, Marvin Reeder, Richard Reeder, Michael Reeder and Robert Reeder and Mary Dover, and all of their spouses; uncles, Gerald Reeder and Vermoyn Reeder; aunts, Louise Reeder and Darlene Dicken; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; baby brother, Glen; uncle, Raymond Reeder; and aunts, Glendora Maynard and Margie Borgmann.