Jacob "Jake" Steely, Jr. was born September 10, 1936 in Fort Collins, CO to Jacob and Lydia (Fisher) Steely, Sr. He lived there until he was in 1st grade and he was baptized Presbyterian. As a young man he was contracted to pick sugar beets until he moved to North Dakota in 1948. He went back to school and finished through the 8th grade.
Eventually Jake moved to South Dakota. He lived in New Underwood for 5 years, then left and went to work for the Oahe Dam Project, starting as a laborer and working his way up to an iron worker, which he did for 7 years. He worked the emergency and power tunnels of the Dam as well. In 1970, he came to Sturgis and started work for the Homestake Mining Company and was the contractor there for 12 years. When the diesel loaders came, he hauled rocks with them and finished out his career there, which ended after 23 years with the company.
Jake loved working with his hands, and he especially enjoyed cutting wood. On the rare occasion that he wasn't working, he liked to go roller skating with his brother, Willie. Jake loved his family very much and treasured the time he spent taking care of his grandchildren.
Jake Steely, 84, died Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at his home in Sturgis.
Survivors include his daughters, Sonia and Myra; sons, Quentin, Rufus, David, and Joey; brother, Willie; sister, Rosella; and numerous grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Jacob and Lydia Steely, Sr.; and his wife, Becky Sue (Wood) Steely.
Memorial services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 10, 2021 at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Sturgis with Father Bunker Hill officiating. Burial will follow at Bear Butte Cemetery.
The family would like to give a special thank you to Paul and Ronda Neiser, Kameron Fleming, and Christina Culverhouse for their kindness and assistance during this difficult time.

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