Anna Elaine Steele

On March 1, 1924, Anna Elaine was born. She was delivered by her “Papa” in a two-room home in Wheat Basin, Montana. Elaine was the youngest of five children born to Ella (Kitto) and Elmer Swenson. Her brother and three sisters were excited to have a baby sister. Elaine had happy memories of growing up in Wheat Basin. She knew everyone in the area because her mother ran the post office. Her stories were filled with laughter and fun. At the age of twelve the family moved to Billings and Elaine attended Billings Senior High School. During high school she met her future husband, Bob Steele. Bob was “a very good athlete, smart, and fun”. The smart and fun part of his personality made her fall in love. Upon graduation, in 1942, Elaine went to work in a dental lab in downtown Billings. In 1946, when Bob returned from the war, they married. They had a son, Robert Gregory and called Bozeman home. Bob and Elaine were married for 60 years. When Elaine lost both her husband and son, she moved to Billings to be close to family. She resided at St. John's United Retirement Community until her death. Even though she was confined to a wheelchair for many years, she never let it stop her from living. Through the years, Elaine enjoyed all that the St. John's campus had to offer. She was grateful to be able to play bridge each week; thankful to have access to the Met Special Transit for lunch outings with her dear friend, Helen, and her niece, Nancy; and rarely missed a summer concert. Elaine looked forward to her phone visits each evening with her daughter-in-law, Paulette Cochenour. Most of all, she was very grateful and appreciative of the wonderful, caring staff at St. John's. Elaine died on May 19, 2020. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband and son, her brother Stan Swenson, her sisters Marie (Dolan), Betty (Peters), Hazel (Baker). She leaves behind her daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, Graeme Baker of Libby, and many nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank, St. Vincent Hospital, and St. John's United for the attentive “end of life” care they gave Elaine. She is free and happy, in the arms of her husband and son. A service for family will take place later this summer.