Lee E. Steiner

"A thick and shapeless tree trunk would never believe that it could become a statue, admired as a miracle of sculpture." - St. Ignatius

Lee E. Steiner, our loving patriarch, died on March 17, 2017, after a long life filled with great love.

Liberatus Exavier was born in the granary of his family's farm outside of Mott, N.D., on Aug. 30, 1919, one of 15 children to Joseph and Maria Magdalena Steiner (nee Barth). His childhood on the farm was filled with hard work, adventure and mischief. One of Lee's secrets to longevity was having an eternally optimistic attitude. This started in his early years, as he was frequently selected to complete the least desirable chores, including driving his family to church in their horse drawn wagon in -40 F degree weather.

Lee moved to Longview, Wash., when he was 16 years old with a rosary from his mother around his neck and his belongings in a small suitcase, where he completed a four-year apprenticeship in construction before joining the U.S. Army Air Force during WWII. Lee had a natural aptitude for mechanical design, and this talent was recognized while he was stationed in Hawaii during the war.

Upon return from the war, he met the love of his life, Magdalena Wolf, at a barn dance. They were married on May 7, 1946, in a double wedding with Mag's sister. After their wedding, they lived in Longview, Wash.; and Bowman, N.D.; and eventually settled in Billings in 1955. Together, they raised four children and worked side by side at Steiner Construction, with Lee drawing his floorplans around Mag's kitchen designs. In their early years, they loved to two-step and fish. After retiring, they wintered in Arizona, golfed, played cards and traveled. Their faith was a cornerstone of their life and marriage, and they were founding members of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church. They enjoyed 63 happy years of marriage before Mag's death in 2009. Ever the optimist, Lee embraced bachelorhood, living independently until November 2016.

Lee shared a love of music with his father. A singer and guitarist, he cherished his days playing with his band while wintering in Arizona and, in his later years, with his grandson, Brian. Despite his dwindling health, he performed his last concert for his family days before his passing.

Lee built a beautiful, full life and will be dearly missed by many. He is survived by his children and their spouses, Del and Lisa Steiner, Donna and Bill Roukema, Cheryl and John Murphy, and Gary and Camie Steiner; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; his brother Mike; and his sisters Agnes, Leona and Adeline.

His family is extremely grateful for the loving care he received at St. John's Transitional Care Unit and Morningstar Senior Living over the past four months.

Vigil services will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 21, at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary, 1001 Alderson Ave. The funeral mass will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 22, at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 2055 Woody Drive.