Maurice Steele Hale, 94, from Brookings, SD, passed away on August 29, 2021, surrounded by his loving family. Visitation will be on Thursday, September 2, 2021, from 5-7 P.M. with a sharing of memories time at 6:30 P.M. all at Eidsness Funeral Home.  A private family burial will be held at Greenwood Cemetery.

Maurice was born in Huron, SD, on November 14, 1926, to Ed and Ruth Hale. He attended school in Huron until his 17 ^th birthday, on which day he joined the US Navy. After training for a year, he became a member of the crew on the LSM 319. After his ship was commissioned, they were sent to the Asian Pacific Theatre to fight in World War II. Maury was a very proud American and serviceman. He has been a member of the American Legion for 75 years and was honored by his local chapter.

In January of 1944, encouraged by his sister, he wrote letters to one of her friends, Dorothy Iverson. The first and only time they ever met before their marriage was in 1945 when he came back to Huron for his sister's wedding. After her graduation in 1946, she took the train to Portland, Oregon. Their wedding was on May 20, 1946 in Vancouver, WA. They were married for 53 years until Dottie passed away.

In May, 1947, after the war, they moved to Huron, SD. Maury began his 10 year optical apprenticeship and became a board certified optician, which was his career for 40 years.

After working in Huron and Belle Fourche, they settled in Mitchell for the remainder of his career, where he was employed by the Mabee Clinic as their optician. Many wonderful memories with family and friends were made in Mitchell. In 1989, after retirement, they moved to Brookings. Maury was a well known member of the community and could often be seen on his bike on the trail around town.

Maury was a very hard working man, but family life was his number one priority. He enjoyed biking, camping, boating, fishing, hunting, and was a skilled woodworker, making hundreds of birdhouses for family, friends, and SDSU. He and Dottie were active members of the Methodist Church for 55 years. He especially enjoyed his time with the Methodist Men cooking and serving meals at the Harvest Table.

In 2015, Maury moved into Stoneybrook Assisted Living, where he resided until his death.

His children considered him to be their hero as he guided and taught all of them to be strong, independent, and hard working. Blessed to have shared his life are his loving children, Larry (Margaret) Hale, Joan (Tom) Finn, Craig (Terri) Hale, Amy (Terry) Nemitz; grandchildren, Melissa (Chris) Thigpen, Jason (Kristi) Hale, Sean Finn, Tommy Finn, Ashley Hale, Philip Bridges, Dillon Bridges, Katlyn (Al) Richter, and Elle Nemitz (special friend Grant Sherman); great grandchildren, Coston (Lydia) Thigpen, Andrew Thigpen, Jase Thigpen, Avery Hale, and Emma Hesse; great-great grandchild, Caelan Anderson.

Maury was preceded in death by his wife, Dottie, son-in-law, Tom Finn, grandson, Derek Ziebart, parents, Ed and Ruth Hale, brothers, Harry, Don, Lawrence, and sisters Irma, Irene, and Norene. Maury was the last remaining member of his immediate family.   Maury would say, "I have lived a long and happy life with my family, which makes me a very rich man."

In lieu of flowers, the family requests any donations be made payable to the American Legion or VFW in Maurice's name.