Bonnie Lee Dickson Steele

Published 8:58 am Monday, April 16, 2018

July 29, 1925 – April 10, 2018

Bonnie Lee Dickson Steele, passed away April 10, 2018 in her home in Bend, Oregon from natural causes. Bonnie was born July 29, 1925 in Washington, Kansas to Vera and James T. Dickson. Bonnie graduated from Cottey College in Nevada, Missouri. She married Oliver Paul Steele III on September 30, 1945. They enjoyed 68 years of marriage.

Bonnie Steele was a successful Real Estate Broker in Northridge, California for over 30 years following in the footsteps of her father who had been an Auctioneer and Real Estate Broker in Kansas. Her license plate was “CME 4RE”. Bonnie enjoyed bridge (belonging to the “Mixed Nuts” in Northridge and locally at Bend Senior Center). She loved people. She and Oliver traveled visiting all of the continents, plus jazz, flying, motorhoming, square dancing and PEO which gave her far reaching and widely varied friends who were often considered adopted children. In addition, Bonnie and Oliver built the majority of homes they lived in over the years including their homes in Sunriver and in Bend.

After Oliver’s retirement, Bonnie and Oliver settled in Sunriver in 1992 and then moved into Bend in 2007. Like so many seniors, they spent most winters in Palm Springs and had a wonderful group of friends who met there every year from all over the world.

Bonnie is survived by children, Mark N. Steele Sr. and his wife, Cathy of San Diego, CA, Penny L. Brondum and her husband, Thomas of Bend, OR, and grandchildren, Mark N. Steele Jr., Alexander T. Brondum, Thaedra H. Brondum, and Rebecca L. Steele. Bonnie was preceded in death by husband, Oliver P. Steele III and son, Oliver P. Steele IV.

The “Bonnie Lee and Oliver Paul Steele III” Endowment is being created at the High Desert Museum. In lieu of flowers donations to that endowment would be appreciated. Please make donations “In memory of Bonnie Steele, payable to the High Desert Museum in support of the education endowment”. A Celebration of Bonnie Steele’s Life will be held in late May.