Cover photo for Richard H. Stephan's Obituary
Richard H. Stephan Profile Photo

Richard H. Stephan

December 2, 1926 — December 2, 2012

Richard H. Stephan

Richard H. Stephan, 86, of Dousman, WI entered into Eternal Life on Sunday, December 2, 2012 at AngelsGrace Hospice in Oconomowoc, WI after an extended battle with leukemia. He departed from his life just as he had lived it -- caring, giving and with strength of will and humility. He will be truly missed but never forgotten, and always present in our hearts. Richard was born on September 12, 1926, in Dousman, WI, the eighth child of ten to Frank and Elizabeth (nee Ehrlich) Stephan. During his youth in the 1930s, he helped on the family farm located on Wilson Avenue just east of his own home of 63 years. Although his records all show his formal schooling ended at 8th grade, Richard never stopped learning or educating himself. An avid reader, creative thinker and problem solver, he also proved himself skilled in the trade of carpentry and maintenance, while providing over 20 years of service as building and grounds chairman at St. Mary's Episcopal Church. In 1944, Richard entered the United States Naval Reserves, where he was stationed on a troop transport ship in which he saw 7 trips across the Pacific Ocean during the final years of WWII. This active duty as Carpenter's Mate 3rd Class led him to his work as a laborer with the Dousman Lumber Yard and 25 years at Fiberesin Plastics in Oconomowoc. Throughout his life, Richard was earnestly dedicated to his community, volunteering his time to help the small town of Dousman that he loved so much. After joining the Dousman Fire Department on February 7, 1947, he served as an officer for 48 years, was a hard-working and dedicated EMT from 1978 to 2011; he was dynamically involved as an active member, vice-commander and commander of the American Legion Post #405 where he served as Blood Bank Chairperson and he and his wife, Frances, placed Memorial Day flags on four of the community's cemeteries for over 50 years; in the local 4-H club as woodworking, gardening and photography leader; and active member of St. Mary's Church where he worked diligently to rebuild pews, maintain walks, lawns, parked cars for the Strawberry Festival and was instrumental in purchasing the pews for the new, present day St. Mary's church building. Richard was preceded in death by his father, Frank Stephan; mother, Elizabeth Stephan; sisters, Dorothy Pynakker, Edith Stephan, Bette Lean; brothers, Albert Stephan, Walter Stephan, Robert Stephan, Norman Stephan, and John Henry Stephan (infancy). He is survived by his loving and cherished wife of nearly 63 years, Frances (nee Hopkins) of Dousman, WI; beloved sister, Mabel Finney of Eagle, WI; five children, James (Barbara) Stephan of Waukesha, WI; Elaine (Michael) Rolens of Wichita Falls, TX; Kathleen (Jeffery) Stapleton of Cottage Grove, WI; Diane (Steve) Jurasewicz of Kenosha,WI; and Thomas Stephan (Shiela Miskowski) of Oconomowoc, WI; five grandchildren, Colleen (Bob) Thill of Sheboygan, WI; Melissa Rolens of Fort Collins, CO; Michael (AJ) Rolens Troy, MI; Adam (Marie) Stapleton of Sun Prairie, WI; Suzanne (Dylan) Stapleton-Anderson of Cottage Grove, WI; and three great-grandchildren, Kylar Rolens of Troy, MI; Jayden Thill of Sheboygan, WI and Katelynn Rolens of Fort Collins, CO. He is further survived by his sisters-in-law, Joanne Keller and Marjorie Stephan. He will remembered and missed by his many nieces and nephews and special family friends. Visitation will be held at Pagenkopf Funeral Home in Oconomowoc on Thursday, December 6, 2012, from 4 PM until 7 PM. Visitation will continue on Friday, December 7, 2012 at St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Dousman from 10 AM until the time of the service at 11 AM. Burial with military honors will immediately follow at Summit Cemetery. Deep appreciation and gratitude to the staff of ProHealth Home Care and Hospice and AngelsGrace Hospice for their loving care and concern of Richard during his final days. Memorials in Richard's name may be directed to the St. Mary's Building Fund or to the Dousman Fire Department.

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Past Services

Visitation

Thursday, December 6, 2012

4:00 - 7:00 pm (Eastern time)

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Visitation

Friday, December 7, 2012

10:00 - 11:00 am (Eastern time)

St. Mary's Episcopal Church

36014 Sunset Drive, Dousman, WI 53118

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Funeral Service

Friday, December 7, 2012

11:00am - 12:00 pm (Eastern time)

St. Mary's Episcopal Church

36014 Sunset Drive, Dousman, WI 53118

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Burial

Friday, December 7, 2012

Starts at 12:15 pm (Eastern time)

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