MaryLee Hosford Steinfeldt
December 8, 1940 – December 15, 2021
Preceded in death by father and mother, Willard and Mary (Harding) Hosford, Jr.; husband, Bruce “Scrap-Iron” Steinfeldt; and son, Christopher Swanson (Tara). She is survived by her sister, Damaris Stewart of Philadelphia, PA; brother, Willard “Hos” Hosford III (Leslie) of Scottsdale, AZ; sister-in-law, Susan Schoneboom; daughter, Cathy Swanson McCarthy Haney (Bob); son, Carl Swanson; grandchildren: Alexandra McCarthy, Caitlin Meadows (Easton), Austin Swanson, Matthew Swanson, Olivia Bosco, and Jacob Swanson, all of Omaha; nieces and nephews; other loving family and friends.
GATHERING WITH FAMILY: Thursday, January 6, 2022, from 5pm to 7pm at the West Center Chapel. Private Inurnment.
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MaryLee Hosford Swanson Steinfeldt was born in Omaha, Nebraska, to the late Willard and Mary (Harding) Hosford, Jr. She was raised in Omaha with her siblings, Damaris Stewart of Philadelphia, PA, and Willard “Hos” Hosford III (Leslie) of Scottsdale, AZ. Their father was a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy, and although the family was stationed in Florida and New York during WWII, they made their way back to Omaha where Mary Lee attended and graduated from Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart. After graduating, she moved to New York to attend Junior College at Convent of the Sacred Heart (91st Street).
Upon graduating from college, MaryLee, or Lee as she was often called, returned to Omaha where she was active in the community, participating in Junior League and Colonial Dames. She was also selected as a Princess in the Aksarben Ball, acknowledging her family Hosfords (Deere & Co.), Hardings (Mr. Harding was founder of OPPD), and the Swanson family, all of whom were major contributors to the growth of the city of Omaha.
In 1958 MaryLee married Gilbert Swanson, Jr. and together they had Cathy Swanson McCarthy Haney (Bob), Gilbert Carl Swanson III (Shari), and Christopher Swanson (d) (Tara), all of Omaha.
In 1983, MaryLee married the true love of her life, Bruce “Scrap Iron” Steinfeldt, who had moved to Omaha to open the Cork ‘N Cleaver, which later became The Drover in the late 1970s. Bruce and MaryLee also owned the VIP Lounge and later, Ralston Keno. The pair thoroughly enjoyed life together.
MaryLee relished her role as Mimi to her grandchildren: Alexandra McCarthy, Caitlin Meadows (Easton), Austin Swanson, Matthew Swanson, Olivia Bosco, and Jacob Swanson.
Although MaryLee loved her life in Omaha with friends and family, she also enjoyed her winters in Scottsdale, AZ, where she visited with her siblings and hosted spring break for her children and grandchildren.
MaryLee was a giver by nature. The personification of grace and class with a little bit of sass, she was welcoming and kind with a razor-sharp wit to make anyone laugh out loud.
***PLEASE JOIN THE FAMILY in a toast to MaryLee/Leepers/mom/Mimi on January 6, 2022 at the West Center Chapel from 5pm to 7pm. There will be food, drinks, music, and lots of laughter as we celebrate not only her life, but also her joyous reunion with her beloved husband and son.***
2 Comments
Mary Lee was a kind person. Always a true Lady in every sense . She and Scrapiron made an odd couple, but certainly we’re always gracious host and great fun to be with!!
Sending love to you all and a sweet kiss and hug to Mimi always!
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