Martin Jesse Steele

Martin Jesse Steele, 92, of Littleton, Colorado, our loving father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle and friend passed away peacefully February 5, 2020. Martin was born August 22, 1927 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Henrietta Facer and Jesse Wilford Steele. He married his sweetheart Donna May Jensen in Brigham City, UT on April 20, 1951.

Martin graduated from Box Elder High School in 1945 where he played basketball. He enlisted in the US Navy from 1945-46 and sailed from Long Beach, California to Charleston, South Carolina through the Panama Canal. After his discharge he attended Weber State University where he continued to play basketball and led his teams to All Church championships for 3 years. He then attended Utah State University where he graduated with a degree in Business Management and he and Donna were married in Brigham City UT.

He re-joined the Navy and attended Officer Candidate School and earned his commission as an Ensign. He served as a Lieutenant Supply Officer in Bayonne New Jersey, where their first son Kevin was born, and then Chula Vista, California at US Naval Air Station, San Diego, home of the Pacific Fleet, until 1954. Martin, Donna and Kevin returned to Utah and Martin joined General Mills where he worked his entire career. During this time, they lived in Ogden, Utah where Brad was born, Brigham City, Utah where Cindy joined the family, Boise, Idaho where Rick was born and back to Salt Lake City, Utah where Wendy was born. Martin was promoted to Executive Account Manager and they moved to Littleton, Colorado in 1965 where the family was raised and he continued to live until his passing.

After retiring in 1989 Martin was active and played competitive tennis, winning many tournaments and medals, including competing in the Senior Olympic Games five times. He enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, camping and fishing. He loved to find the perfect camping or picnic spots away from people, in the trees and by a stream. He continued to consult for General Mills for 12 years. He and Donna traveled to Europe, Australia and New Zealand and the Caribbean as well as spending time with children and grandchildren for holidays, birthdays, baby blessings, baptisms and graduations. He was a master woodworking craftsman and loved making wooden toys for his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was an avid Denver Broncos fan. He loved family domino games, working in the yard, grilling burgers in the backyard and diet Coke. He made the best pancakes and always had a funny joke to tell to make you smile. He served in the Church throughout his life as a faithful home teacher and ward clerk and was sealed in the temple for time and all eternity to his sweetheart Donna.

Martin is survived by four children, Kevin, Brad, Cindy Blaisdell and Wendy; 15 grandchildren, Matthew, Jeff, Greg, Nathan, Brittany Baker, Stephanie Brown; Ryan and Danelle; Angela Morgan, Chris, Loren Orullian, Alex, and Garrett Blaisdell; McKell Esser and Bailey O’Brien; 26 great grandchildren, Cade, Mae and Bridger Morgan; Jack, Mason and Ben Steele; Brandon, Cohen, Emily and Brooklyn Steele; Zoey and Donovan Steele; Eleanor, Lucy and Charlie Steele; Leticia, Melia and Eli Blaisdell; Tayson, Emery and Easton Blaisdell, Addie, Jessie and Gunner Orullian; Blair and Bella Blaisdell. Martin was preceded in death by a son, baby Steele, his wife, Donna on August 24, 2008, and his son, Rick on June 15, 2014.

A viewing will be held Friday, February 21, 2020, from 10-10:40am with the Funeral Service beginning at 11:00 am, both at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Clement Park Ward, 9227 W. Dartmouth Place, Lakewood, CO 80227.

A graveside service with Military Honors will be at Fort Logan National Cemetery, 3698 South Sheridan Blvd, Denver at 3:00pm. Please gather at Staging Area “A” by 2:50pm.

Visitation: February 21, 2020 10:00 am - 10:40 am

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Dartmouth)
9227 W. Dartmouth Place
Lakewood, CO 80227

Funeral Service: February 21, 2020 11:00 am

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Dartmouth)
9227 W. Dartmouth Place
Lakewood, CO 80227

Graveside Service: February 21, 2020 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Fort Logan National Cemetery
3698 South Sheridan Boulevard
Denver, CO 80236
(303) 761-0117
https://www.cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/ftlogan.asp