Obituary of Leslie and Jean Steeden

Jean and Leslie STEEDEN The family of Jean and Leslie (Les) Steeden is sad to announce their passing. Jean, aged 87, died peacefully at Cosmopolitan Villa, Porteous Lodge, on Monday, June 6, 2016. Les, aged 88, also of Porteous Lodge, died shortly thereafter on Thursday, July 7, 2016. Jean grew up on a farm near Daysville, east of Mervin, SK, the youngest child of Frank and Marion Douglas. She moved to Saskatoon with her parents in 1945 and made the city home for the rest of her life. Les, the youngest child of William and Alice Steeden, grew up on a farm near Colonsay, SK, before also moving to Saskatoon. They both grew up with music in the house and learned to play instruments while still young: Jean, the guitar, and Les, the fiddle. They continued to play throughout their lives. Jean and Les were married in 1953 and were just days short of their 63rd wedding anniversary at the time of Jean's death. Jean worked in various retail and office jobs, retiring in 1988 after 17 years at the University of Saskatchewan. Les spent the early part of his working life driving trucks for Saskatchewan Highways and Argo Rock, and buses for Saskatoon Transit. After a heart attack in 1975, he returned to work as a custodian, first at Kelsey Institute, then at the Saskatoon Police Department. His last position before retirement was looking after the Lost and Found office at the police station. Jean and Les always enjoyed trips to Victoria, particularly extended stays after they retired, and getting together with family for celebrations and picnics (especially at Beaver Creek). Jean was predeceased by her parents, by her sisters Hilda Douglas, Elma Douglas and Frances (Gerard) Dorval, by her brothers James (Grace) Douglas and Percy (Mary) Douglas, and by her half-brother Andrew Brown. Les was predeceased by his parents, by his sisters Winnie (Frank) Mills and Connie (Lloyd) Dunham, by his brothers Stanley and Eric (Ruth), and by nephew Stanley (Sharon) Dunham. Jean and Les are survived by numerous nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank staff at City Hospital and St. Paul's Hospital, the staff of Cosmopolitan Villa and Porteous Lodge, and Dr. K. Roelens for the dedicated care they provided to Jean and Les during the past year. In lieu of flowers, donations in their memory may be made to Friends of Saskatchewan Children Inc. (Ronald McDonald House Charities Saskatchewan), 1011 University Drive, Saskatoon SK S7N 0K4, or to a charity of the donor's choice.