Harvey Allen Steen

Harvey Allen Steen passed away peacefully in Helena, Mont., Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023, with his wife Ila by his side. He was 91.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Harvey was born to Harriet (Zieger) and Forrest Steen in Hinsdale, Mont., Aug. 9, 1931. He lived on the family farm until age six when the family moved into town. He was a Hinsdale High School graduate, 1949, and attended Northern Montana College for two years.

He served in the US Army from 1951-1954 where he trained at Camp Roberts, Calif., and later served in Germany. In 1960 he met his future wife Ila Vantries in Great Falls, Mont., at a United Methodist Young Adult Group. They married in 1962 in Denver, Colo., and later moved to southern California.

He returned to his home state and earned his bachelor's degree in business from the University of Montana. In 1966 they had a son, Gregory Glen Steen, Great Falls. The family moved to Helena where he began a career as an accountant with the State of Montana. Shortly after, the family began to attend St. Paul's United Methodist Church. In 1968 son, Kurt Allen Steen was born in Helena.

In 1970 Harvey served as a founding member of the Helena chapter of the International Association of Y's Men's Service Clubs. Over the next 50 years he served as President, Regional Director and held other national offices. He and Ila traveled to Norway, East Africa, and East Asia as ambassadors of the Service Club. Their club performed annual fundraisers, provided scholarships and maintenance for YMCA Camp Child.

Throughout the kids' childhoods, Dad served as a coach and leader for their sports activities and Boy Scout troop. He never missed a day in helping them with their morning paper routes. In 1991 he retired from the State of Montana.

Their son Greg married Kathy Boeckman in 1991 in College Station, Texas. Greg and Kathy settled in Albuquerque, N.M., and have four children Kyle, Kevin, Katelyn and Kaleb. In 2000 their son Kurt married Shyla Zellman. They settled in Davis, Calif., and have two daughters, Kyla and Danica.

Harvey enjoyed his family, friends, service to the YMCA, church functions, history, basketball, travel, and a love of his forever-home Montana.

Harvey is preceded in death by his sister Mary Luella and his brother Forrest Russell.

He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years Ila; both his sons and their families; his sister Kitty Lou Rusher, of Glasgow, Mont., and several cousins, nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Helena YMCA or St. Paul's United Methodist Church.

Please visit http://www.aswfuneralhome.com to offer a condolence to the family or to share a favorite memory of Harvey.