Marian True

(From Parker Mortuary)

Marian Brundige Steele True passed away on February 11, 2025, holding the hands of her two youngest children.

She was born Marian Louise Brundige on January 24, 1939 in Casper, WY to William and Glessie Brundige. Marian lived in a sheep wagon during the early years of her life with her parents and twin brothers, Ronald and Donald. 

The family eventually found their way to Missouri. Marian graduated from Liberty High School in 1957, where she was a member of the National Honor Society. She went on to work for National Bellas Hess in North Kansas City, and later at AT&T in Kansas City. She married her children’s father in 1962. 

After almost 10 years with AT&T and the birth of her third child, she became a stay at home mom. After a move from Kansas City to the country, the family eventually settled in Joplin at the end of 1973. They joined Sacred Heart Parish where Marian was a member of the Altar Society. 

When her children began attending school within the Joplin Catholic schools, she served as the secretary for the Southwest Missouri Catholic Home and School Association. She was a Girl Scout Leader for her daughter’s troops. She loved to dance of any kind but especially enjoyed square dancing. She enjoyed sewing, making her own square dance skirts, many Halloween costumes over the years for both her children and grandchildren, as well as items for special occasions such as school dances and baptisms, and many things in between. 

Upon the dissolution of her marriage, she attended Franklin Technical School for their CETA program. During that time, she was the treasurer for the National Future Secretaries Association. She worked various jobs to provide for her children before deciding to return to college. She graduated from Missouri Southern State College in December 1985 with a BSE, focusing in elementary education. 

After substituting at St. Peter’s for a time, she returned to Kansas City to teach. She met her second husband and they married in 1990. When her parents began needing a little extra help she moved to Warsaw, MO. She went to work for Walmart in Sedalia, MO. After the death of her parents, she returned to Joplin and became a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church. She transferred to Walmart on 15th Street. She was working the night the tornado struck, and it was told to us that she was helping to get people to shelter, even shielding a young family. She retired from Walmart after 27 years. 

After retiring, she helped out with her grandchildren who lived in Joplin, running them here and there, or babysitting when needed. Some of her best times were spent at the lake with her son, Shaun, his fiancé, Christy, and Christy’s family and friends. A fall in July 2021 resulted in a fracture that forced her to remain in care at The Communities of Wildwood Ranch where she passed. Marian was an avid K.C. Chiefs and New York Yankees fan.

Marian is survived by her five children, Kathleen Steele (Jason) of Carl Junction, Brian Steele of Joplin, Lisa Gill of Jacksonville, FL, Julie Zanetti (Chris) of Hagerstown, MD, and Shaun Steele (Christy) of Joplin. She was blessed with ten grandchildren, Burgandy (Norman), Michael (Evelyn), Blaine (Jenn), Brynna, Ashley (Jamison), Brya (David), Braeton (Katie), Connor, Zachary, and Brenden, 15 great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. She was proceeded in death by her parents, twin brothers, and two great grandchildren, Camille Evans and Baby Cady.

A memorial mass will be held on Saturday, February 15, 2025 at 10:00 a.m at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church with Father Brian Straus officiating. Visitation and a rosary will precede the funeral Mass, beginning at 9:30 am, Saturday, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Joplin.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Joplin Area Catholic Schools, Advancement Office 930 S Pearl Ave, Joplin, MO 64801