Thank you so much for your reply! I just went to the GM site to look around and found an emissions receipt and it is a 2003. (Sorry..I am truly taking my life in my own hands in "chatting" in a car site!
Anyway, dealer told us they have heard of this problem and it requires the ENTIRE steering column be replaced. I SWEAR we drive around, stop, put it in park, wait until the leveling thing sound stops and turn it off...and the fricking key will NOT come out. Would MUCH rather replace the battery than this steering column....they could also be telling us that this MAJOR service be required as they are in business to make $$
Will print out your response and show my husband...thank you again. Now, since it's dead in the parking garage, we just have to get it over to the battery place! Thanks again!