Margaret Susan “Sue” Steer, 
age 98, of Crookston, MN, passed away Thursday, February 21, 2019, at the Villa St. Vincent.
Sue was born on November 7, 1920, in Fort Peck, MT to Henry Irwin and Mathilda (Bulger) McMahan. The family moved to Crookston, MN when Sue was a toddler and she attended Cathedral School. At the age of 20, Sue moved to Berkley, CA to support our country’s war efforts by becoming a welder and helping build ships for the U.S. Navy. She was very proud of that time in her life and family and friends loved to hear her stories of those experiences. Sue truly loved Berkley and would have spent her life there, but she returned to Crookston to care for her mother. She later met John E. Steer and they were united in marriage on May 22, 1946, in Crookston, MN.
Sue was a member of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Ladies Aide, Catholic Daughters, and the PTA. She was also a charter member of the Golden Link, and held memberships in the Eagles and VFW Auxiliaries. One of her favorite pastimes was taking oil painting classes.
Sue was a loving mother and grandmother. She was a wonderful cook and passed on her knowledge and talents to her children and grandchildren. She loved playing cards with friends and family and was usually the winner! Sue also loved traveling out west to visit the McMahan family, and enjoyed frequent visits from them.
Sue was very spiritual and wise, and a strong, independent woman to the end. Her favorite piece of advice was to remind people, “Each day when you wake, you might not feel like doing anything, but if you do a little something you may surprise yourself and do a lot.” Sue prayed the Rosary for her family daily, and when she tucked in her children at night, she would always say, “Good night and God bless you.”
Sue is survived by her 3 children: Joan Henrickson of Crookston, MN, Gary (Tammy) Steer of Sun City, AZ, and Annette (Jerry) Baird of Crookston, MN; 12 grandchildren: Paula Viker, Mark Henrickson, Justin (Dawn) Bakke, Travis (Deb) Steer, Tera (Corey) Heiser, Tyler Steer, Andy (Shana) Lang, Jasmin (Kyle) Rollins, Sasha Ostby, Ann Zornes, Kelsey Baird, and Skylar (Megan) Baird; and 27 great-grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her husband, John Steer; parents, Henry and Mathilda McMahan; son, Donald Steer; 3 grandchildren: Christopher Baird, Stephanie Baird, Nathan Lindsley; and her extended McMahan and Steer families. May God bless Sue’s memory.
Mass of Christian Burial for Margaret “Sue” Steer will be held at 2:30 pm, Monday, March 4, 2019, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Crookston, MN with The Rev. Augie Gothman, presiding. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service. Interment will take place in Calvary Cemetery, Crookston, in the spring.
