At 100, Nebraska WWII Veteran Becomes Oldest Confirmed Organ Donor in the U.S.
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.
His family says organ donation reflects the same quiet generosity that defined his life. “Dale was always very helpful and considerate of everyone around him, friends and strangers alike,” said Scott Steele, Dale’s grandson. “We believe he would do just about anything he could for someone in need. Dale was humble and was not one to call attention to his acts of kindness to others. He would want the acknowledgement to go to the life he saved.”
Although it is a common misconception that there is an age limit for organ donation, Steele’s story reinforces an important truth: age alone does not determine donor eligibility. “Cases like this are extraordinary, but they remind us that donor eligibility is based on health and organ viability, not simply age,” said Dr. Lee Morrow, chief medical officer at Live On Nebraska. “The only qualification necessary to register as a donor is that you need to be 16 years old or older. Age, health, and lifestyle do not limit your ability to register or donate. Every donor is evaluated individually with rigorous medical criteria.”
Thousands of people across the United States are currently waiting for lifesaving transplants. One donor can save up to eight lives through organ donation and help many more through tissue donation.“This is a powerful reminder that generosity has no age limit,” Herber said. “Every donor leaves a legacy, and every person who registers has the potential to give the gift of life.”
Live On Nebraska encourages individuals aged 16 and older to consider registering as organ donors and to discuss their wishes with loved ones.