After a century defined by service to his country, his family, and his community, Dale R. Steele’s final act of generosity is now helping others live on. Steele, a 100-year-old Nebraska native who passed away on February 11, became an organ donor, and that act of generosity carried an unexpected distinction: he is now considered the oldest confirmed organ donor in the United States.
His liver was recovered in Omaha at Nebraska Medicine – Nebraska Medical Center and successfully transplanted the following day, ensuring that his legacy of service would continue. “This is a story about a life of service that didn’t end at death,” said Kyle Herber, president and CEO of Live On Nebraska. “Mr. Steele lived a full century giving to others, and through donation, that generosity continues in a way that will impact lives for years to come.”
Born on Veterans Day in 1925 in Ainsworth, Nebraska, and raised on a ranch during the Great Depression, Steele was drafted and served across Europe during World War II. He later witnessed history firsthand as a guard during the Nuremberg War Crimes Trials. After returning home, he built a life rooted in agriculture, family, and community, including a 72-year marriage and generations of loved ones…