Ruth was born in Carrollton, Missouri to Dwight R. and Elsie May. She went to school in Carrollton and met her future husband Lynn Otto Steele while in high school. They married on July 26, 1942, in Burbank, Calif., where Linda was born in 1943. Paul was born in 1946, and then the family moved to Arleta, California. Scott was born in 1955, and Jonathan in 1957.In addition to raising the family, Ruth worked at the phone company, took school photos, and managed apartment buildings in West Los Angeles. The Steeles retired to the Lake Tahoe area in 1989. They were active in the North Shore community until Lynn died on Thanksgiving Day 2003. Ruth carried on independently until she died suddenly and peacefully on what would have been Lynn’s 89th birthday, after buying flowers for the church service like she did every Saturday. Ruth was active at Burbank United Methodist Church, as well as Sepulveda UMC, Hollywood UMC, and Kings Beach UMC, and was well loved by her family and friends.She is survived by her children (and their spouses): Linda Mucha (Steve); Paul Steele (Linda); Scott Steele (Kate); Jonathan Steele (Susan); as well as eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at Kings Beach United Methodist Church on Saturday, October 1, 2011 and all of Ruth’s friends are invited to attend.