Geraldine Allred Steele

Geraldine Allred Steele passed quietly of natural causes while holding her daughter’s hand on October 13, 2023, 1:36 a.m., in Tucson, Arizona.

A Graveside Service with Life History and Dedication of the Grave will be held to honor her and her family’s love for her on October 21, 2023, in Mesa, Arizona. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Geri’s honor to https://philanthropies.churchofjesuschrist.org/humanitarian-services/funds/vision-treatment-training/

Geri spent her life living in Arizona.  The daughter of Lawrence Allred and Della Johnson, she grew up in the idyllic town of Duncan, Arizona, with grandparents, cousins, and siblings close by.  She played in farmlands, the hills behind their family home, with dolls, and on the playground her Grandad built for them.  At eight years old, she was baptized by her father in the Duncan Public Swimming Pool into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Geri graduated from Duncan High School in 1954 as Valedictorian of her class.  She went to Brigham Young University, graduating with an Office Management bachelor’s degree in the College of Business.  At BYU she joined a social club, Ri Veda, becoming its President.  She ran for Homecoming Queen, rode on parade floats and sewed herself beautiful dresses for all her social events.

Geri met and fell in love with Blaine Leon Steele while working in Tempe, Arizona. They married on July 17, 1959 in the Mesa Arizona Temple.  After Blaine graduated, they made their home in Flagstaff for 29 years.  Geri and Blaine raised a family of four children and kept a clean, modest home.  She grew flowers outside their Flagstaff home, including a thick bed of beautiful white daisies which are represented in her casket spray.  She served her family, her church, her neighbors, and those in need.

In 1992, Blaine and Geri began a new chapter of their lives by moving to Mesa to care for Blaine’s parents in their home for the next four years.  Those four years were ones of growth for her and she relied on her Savior to give her the strength and fortitude she needed.

After Blaine’s parents passed, they decided to stay in Mesa for their own retirement years.  Geri was thrilled to have a new home of her own and again worked with Blaine to grow flowers and trees in their yard. They raised their Grandson, Brandon, in this home as well and were involved in many activities revolving around him.  She continued to serve in church callings and in the Mesa Temple. Together, they served two missions to Oregon and Chicago.  Geri spent many days traveling to Thatcher to care for her elderly mother.  She cared for Blaine during his heart attacks and broken hip until, in November 2017, Geri herself spent a week in the hospital with heart problems.  They sold their home, moved into an Assisted Living facility and then the next year to an apartment in Tucson close to their daughter, Kimberly.

From 2018 through 2023, Geri led a quiet life of service for her neighbors and husband.  She had lost much of her hearing and sight in these final years.  However, she wanted to serve others and considered that a requirement of living a Christlike life.  She decided that even if she was unable to cook, or shop, or drive, or even see, she could sweep the walkways of her apartment complex for her neighbors. She also planted flowers outside her apartment and watered them daily to brighten that spot for herself and her neighbors. Geri was a compassionate listener and her elderly neighbors loved her for the support she showed to them.  She cared for her husband and prayed that her health would continue so she could take care of him. They were married for 64 years.

In her final hours, Geri continued to show her selflessness as she was concerned for her daughters who were caring for her and their lack of sleep.

Her highest desire in life was to become more like Jesus Christ.  She showed her love for Him and for God’s children in her daily actions, thoughts, and words.  We will miss her terribly.

Geri is survived by her husband, Blaine Leon Steele of Mesa, Arizona; their four children- Tami and Phil Mix of Artesia, NM; Brian and Cynthia Steele of Buckeye, Arizona; Ladd and Lena Steele of Flagstaff, AZ; and Kimberly and Edward Williams of Tucson, AZ; their grandson, Brandon Ashcroft of Tucson, AZ; 16 grandchildren; and 28  great-grandchildren with one expecting.  She is also survived by her five younger siblings, Lorna Hansen of Toole, UT; Albert Allred of San Angelo, TX; Judy Somerville Cheney of Layton, Utah; Karen Morris of Owasso, Oklahoma; and Larry Allred of Thatcher, AZ.

She was predeceased by her father, Lawrence Albert Allred in 1970, and her mother, Della Johnson Allred in 2009, both of Duncan, Arizona; and a grandson, Kadence Quinn Steele.

Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.