Jerome Steyee

Jerome Orland Steyee, age 57, a loving husband, father, grandfather, friend and longtime diesel mechanic from Missoula, passed away on Wednesday, March 9, 2016, at St. Patrick Hospital.

Jerome was born on July 24, 1958, in Shelby, where he grew up and completed his early education. He then attended Helena Vo-Tech where he attained a technical degree in diesel mechanics. After school, Jerome moved to Great Falls to work for Metco Kenworth, where he met his wife Mary Jo Rearden. They were married on June 4, 1983, in Great Falls. Jerome and Mary Jo moved to Missoula in 1985, where he started work for Kenworth Sales. In 2000, his passion for diesel mechanics was recognized when he received an award for achieving the highest score in the Nation for ASE testing on steering and suspension. Due to medical complications, Jerome retired in October of 2007 from Kenworth Sales after 22 years.

In 2006, Jerome received a kidney/pancreas transplant which relieved him from the Type I Juvenile diabetes he had been fighting since age 13. After five years, his kidney failed and he was back on dialysis again. He lived the remainder of his life in Missoula where he had great doctors to care for him.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Jo Steyee of Missoula; his daughter Jamie Schiedermayer (Adam) of Helena; his son Jim Steyee (Rachel) of Lolo; his daughter Jill Steyee and soon to be son-in-law Ross Balfour of Lolo; and three granddaughters, Amanda and Brooklyn Schiedermayer and Olivia Steyee; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Jim and Susy Baroch, Bob and Mary Rearden, Mike and Mary Rearden, Pat and MaryAnn Rearden, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; uncles, Omar Steyee, Alf Steyee (Nina) and aunt Alice Nelson.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Ruby Steyee; and his in-laws Don and Betty Rearden, as well as uncles and aunts, Melvin and Luella Steyee, Jo Steyee, John Brunner, Lawrence Brunner, Pete and Birdena Kimbrough and Conrad Nelson.

Thanks to all his doctors throughout the years, especially Dr. Eddy and Dr.Lakatua as well as the Fresenius Medical staff and the friends he met on his journey at St Patrick Hospital.

Memorial services will take place at St. Francis Xavier on Friday, March 18, at 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to American Kidney Foundation or American Heart Association. Sunset memorial Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements. Condolences for Jerome’s family may be sent to missoulafuneralhomes.com