Steve was born in Callaway, NE to Ole and Donna (Shaw) Chesley. 

He attended Kearney State College in Nebraska, where he earned bachelors degrees in education and art.  In 1979 he married the love of his life, Mary Kay (Dryer).  They had two children, Tara (Todd) Preston and Brett Chesley all of Bozeman, MT. and an infant daughter, Stefanie Kay who preceded him in death.

After college Steve began teaching math and art in the Bradshaw school system in Nebraska.  In 1978 he moved to Rifle where he was employed by the Garfield RE-2 School District for over 27 years.  Steve was also employed at Colorado Mountain College where he built the ceramics program and taught for over 30 years.

On Oct. 21st, Steve died in a mountain biking accident outside of DeBeque, CO.  In addition to his love of cycling, he was an avid skier, hunter and outdoorsman.  Steve will be remembered as a voice of reason, a quietly passionate man who loved his family and friends. He also loved fishing, gardening, sports, and was a loyal Cornhusker fan.  Steve was an accomplished, well-known artist in the valley and a founding owner of Midland Arts Co. He was a true renaissance man.

Services will be Wednesday, 10/26/11, at 4pm at St. Mary's Church in Rifle, followed by a dinner (same location).

He is survived by his devoted wife, parents, children, and siblings: Roger (Marian) Chesley, Lane (Melanie) Chesley, and Carol (Tim) Boyle. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Steve Chesley Memorial Fund at the Western Rockies Federal Credit Union.

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