Gary G. Steele, age 61, of Plymouth, born April 9, 1945, in Albert Lea, passed away Sept. 5, 2006, at his home after a lifelong battle with cancer.

He is preceded in death by his father, Norman Steele.

Gary is survived by loving wife, Virginia &8220;Ginny&8221;; sons and daughters-in-law, Craig and Nishi, Kevin and Beth, Joe and Elke; step-children, Dale and Ashley Smith; mother, Ethel; granddaughters, Madeline, Jessica, Claire, Steffi, McKenzie, Savannah, and Dakota; sister, Cindy Wichmann and husband Allan; brother, Dennis Steele; and other relatives and friends.

He was an active member at St. Philip the Deacon Church, which he served as the Global Mission Outreach Leader and coordinator for the Sharing and Caring Hands program.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Philip the Deacon Lutheran Church, 17205 County Road 6, Plymouth. Visitation will be Thursday 5 to 8 p.m. at David Lee Funeral Home, 1220 E. Wayzata Blvd., Wayzata, and one hour before funeral at church on Friday. Interment will be at Concordia of Pickerel Lake Cemetery in Albert Lea on Friday at 3:30 p.m. Memorials preferred to American Cancer Society.

Arrangements are by David Lee Funeral Home.