Steve J. Strekall

With his big grin and his robust laugh, Steve went to meet God and the angels on April 8. He was born June 3, 1924 to Steve and Agnes Sodja Strekall in Helena, Montana. Steve grew up in East Helena, Montana and graduated from Helena High School in 1942. During summers, he worked selling life Insurance, and then at the East Helena smelter. He received a degree in Business and Accounting from the University of Montana and graduated with a Law Degree from Missoula in March of 1948.

Steve met Helen Ries in September 1944 and they were married August 26, 1946. They resided in Missoula until March 1948, then moved to New York City where he worked for Price Waterhouse as an attorney and a tax accountant. In 1949, after relocating to Montana, he worked for ArKwright Construction Co. in Billings as an accountant. He started Empire Sand & Gravel; after five years, he was employed by Abstract Guarantee Company. In 1972, with practiced entrepreneurial vision, Steve established American Title & Escrow and was the General Manager until his retirement.

Steve and his family especially cherished their camping trips. He and Helen enjoyed visiting most of Europe, New Zealand, and Hawaii. For about fifteen years they traveled in a motorhome, living as snow birds in Arizona each winter, until his stroke in 2004.

An avid sportsman, Steve particularly enjoyed telling stories about his hunting and fishing adventures!

Steve was a member of the Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree, The Elks Club, Billings Breakfast Optimist Club, the Billings Petroleum Club, and the Barristers.

A dedicated family man, Steve is survived by his wife of 69 years, Helen, and his children Patty Westerman (Sonny), and Mike Strekall M.D. (Brenda). He has four grandchildren, five great grandchildren, and one great- great grandchild along with numerous nieces and nephews. A celebration of his life will be held at St. Thomas the Apostle church on Colton Boulevard, Wednesday, April 13, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. A vigil will take place on Tuesday, April 12, 2016, at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary, 7:00 p.m.

The family extends sincere gratitude to St. John's Nursing Home for the excellent care Steve received during the last year of his life. A special, "Thank you", to Monica at St. John's for her heartfelt compassion and dedication to Steve's comfort. In his final days, the services provided by Rocky Mountain Hospice were greatly appreciated by Steve and his family.