Stephen Charles Pfister

pfister138_webStephen Charles Pfister, devoted husband, father, son, brother and friend, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 7, 2015, surrounded by his family at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield, Wisconsin, after a brief and sudden illness. He was 55.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, February 13, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Friendship. Father James P. McNamee will officiate. Interment will be at St. Leo’s Catholic Cemetery in Friendship. Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. on Thursday, February 12, at Roseberry’s Funeral Home, and again from 9 a.m. until time of service.

The second of four children, “Steve-O” was born on Valentine’s Day, 1959, in Champaign, Illinois, to James and Gloria (Teglia) Pfister. He grew up in Buffalo Grove, Ill., and attended Illinois State University, where he met Diane Janisch in the fall of 1979. The couple was married on October 14, 1983, and moved to Friendship in 1987. By turns shy, gentle, and fun-loving, Steve-O drew people to him wherever he went and will be remembered for his kind, generous nature and colorful sense of humor. His family gave him the greatest joy.

Stephen was preceded in death by his grandparents, Oreste and Nancy Teglia, and John and Anna Pfister, Frank and Agnes Kottler; and Uncle Bruno Rosellini. Survivors include his wife of 31 years, Diane, of Friendship; son Joseph and his wife Katie, Brooklyn, N.Y., son Thomas, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., daughter Theresa, Brooklyn, N.Y., sons Daniel, David, and Gregory of Friendship; father James Pfister, Huntley, Ill.; mother Gloria Pfister, Friendship; brother Carl and his wife Laura Pfister, Suwanee, Ga., sister Cathy and husband George Young, Hawthorn Woods, Ill., brother Bill Pfister, Schaumburg, Ill.; and many other loving family members and friends.

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Condolences

  1. Heidi Covelli says:

    Dear Diane, Gloria and Family, I am back here for about 1 1/2 weeks to pack. Just found about Steve. I am so saddened by his death. My deepest condolences to you both and yours. I will keep the memory of seeing all you together at Mass in my heart. May God Bless and keep you strong. Love, Heidi

  2. Sherry Baumgart says:

    Dear Diane and family,

    I am saddened to hear of Steve’s passing. Such a kind and gentle soul, a wonderful husband, father, son and friend. Know that the embrace of Our Father above is holding all of you close in His arms as you go through this difficult time.

    Your in my thoughts and prayers,
    Sherry

  3. Bob & Julie Goodhue says:

    Sending our thoughts & prayers to the Pfister family.

  4. Jennifer Thrasher says:

    Diane and family, I am so sorry for your loss. Thinking of you all.

  5. Kathy Ganster, Amber & Ashley Durfey says:

    Diane, Danny, Gloria, and Family,
    Our deepest sympathy. I was shocked to hear the news. May god be with all of you at this time in your life. Know that Steve is with all of you every day. You are in my prayers and if you should need anything, please do not hesitate to call me.

    God bless,
    Kathy, Amber, and Ashley

  6. Cindy Klein and kids says:

    Diane and all the Pfister family,
    Our deepest sympathy for your terrible lose. I have heard so many good things about your family through my sister Deb and have met your wonderful son, Greg several times at Hunter’s parties. I will keep you my prayers and hope that time will help to ease the pain. Be strong.

  7. Statz Family says:

    Pfister family,

    We are so saddened for your loss. We didn’t know Steve personally but we always thought highly of how much he cared for his family, and how strong he was in his faith. He will be missed.

    The Statz Family,
    Paul, Brittany, Sam, and Katelyn

  8. Wall Chiropractic says:

    Dear Diane, Gloria and family.
    You have our deepest sympathy, we are so sorry for your loss. You and your family are a part of our family, please let us know if there is anything you need. Steve will be greatly missed.

    Jon, Ann and Kathleen

  9. Mary and Joel Strang says:

    Diane & Family,

    Our deepest sympathies to all of you during this difficult time. We are very sorry for your loss.

    Mary & Joel

  10. Joshua Hill says:

    My deepest sympathies to the entire Pfister family. I am so sorry for your loss.

  11. Dawn & Curt Mathe says:

    Diane & family,

    Our deepest sympathies to you all during this difficult time. We continue to keep you in our prayers.

    Sincerely,

    Curt & Dawn Mathe

  12. Marie and Hugh McGarry says:

    Dear Diane and Family, We are sending our love and prayers as you go through this terrible time. We ask God to hold you up and give you the strength and sense of love that you will need in the coming days. God bless you all.

  13. Pat Partlow says:

    Dear Diane and Family,

    You are in my heart and my prayers. I am so sorry for your loss of your very loved Steve, Dad.

    Love, Pat Partlow

  14. Frank and Pat Kierstyn says:

    Gloria and family,

    We are so saddened by your loss…you have our sincere condolences.

  15. Linda Zec says:

    I was so saddened when Nick told me about Steve’s passing. I remember my big brother’s friends always being in the house, and Steve always had a smile. May time dull the edges of the pain. Peace to the Pfister family.

    With deepest sympathy and understanding,
    Linda Zec

  16. Kerry and LeAnn Carpenter says:

    Di- I am fortunate to have had Steve as a friend for over 40 years and to have known you for many of those years. He was a terrific friend and I have so many wonderful memories from high school into college and then sharing in life events like marriages and starting families. I will never forget how Steve added to my life and I will miss him. All our love to your whole family.

  17. Rushell says:

    Diane and family,

    You are in my prayers.

  18. Gregg Jensen says:

    Iam very sorry for your loss, I was shocked to hear this news. My condolences and prayers are with your family at this time of sorrow.

  19. David Belsha says:

    Diane, Gloria. I was so sad to here the news of steves passing. I have no words to help you in your time of grief except to say, steve is most definitely with god now. Steve was a very nice man and I will miss him very much. . Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your entire family. Sincerely, Your friend, Dave.

  20. Kathe Kaszubowski-Lucnik says:

    Extending my deepest sympathies to Steve’s family on his passing. A very good man, gone too soon. He will be remembered for his kind and warm personality. May your treasured memories help you through this difficult time.

    Kathe (former BG resident and BGHS classmate)

  21. Sally Millin and Family says:

    Oh Diane we are so sorry to hear of Steve’s passing. Corey called last night with the news, his heart was broken. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. We will always remember Steve as a wonderful person, man, and father. God bless you all.

  22. Jackie Schwingel says:

    My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. Steve was truly a family man and wonderful person.
    Jackie Schwingel (Smith)

  23. Kirsten and Ryan Baxter says:

    Our deepest sympathies go out to your family!

  24. The O'Neil Family, Mary, Ryan and Tim says:

    Dear Diane and family,

    My heart is breaking for you, it is never easy to say good bye to someone so close. I know you are a very spiritual and close knit family. God will keep you safe and get you through this very sorrowful struggle. We all are here for you, please remember to lean on your friends in this time of need. We are keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers during this very sad time. Take care and God Bless you all.

    In Gods Love,
    Mary, Ryan and Tim O’Neil

  25. The Van Erts~Ricky, Mary, Jonah and Gracee says:

    Diane and Family,
    We are so sorry to here of Steve’s passing! Jonah just shared the news after school today. We will remember him, as we shared the boys’ baseball games and band concerts, together. You will be in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time! Praying that wonderful family memories may bring you comfort.
    The Van Erts~Ricky, Mary, Jonah and Gracee

  26. Gib and Ruth Check says:

    Dear Diane and family,
    You have our deepest sympathy as you journey through this time of grief. Diane, I remember your husband from his days subbing and what I remember is that he was a very kind and gentle person. Our prayers are with you and your family. You and your family have brought so much joy to this community, and now we are here to care and support all of you.
    May God be with you,
    Ruth and Gib Check

  27. M. Scott Klika says:

    Diane, you and Stephen are in my prayers. Every encounter with either of you lifted my soul.
    Thank you.
    ~~~M. Scott Klika

  28. Theresa and Dennis David and family says:

    Dear Diane and family,
    Our sincere sorrow for the death of Steve. We did not know him personally, but we remember him attending church with you and the family. We remember him so nicely dressed, but sometimes wearing Burkistocks or sandels! I (Theresa) remember once we were talking in church, and he so politely “ahemed” you to get going! I remember a conversation where I said to count our blessings. What a blessing to be graced with 31 years of marriage and 6 lovely children. Our whole family prays for you. If you need anything let us know.

    Theresa, Dennis, Hannah, Arran, and JT

  29. Lori Henthorne says:

    Dear Diane and family,
    My heart is so sad for you and your family, these are challenging times. We all have one goal and that is to be with our loved ones when we leave this world. I know you are trusting in GOD and that’s all we can do. Take care and know that I ‘am praying and thinking of you and your family.
    In Christian Love,
    Lori Henthorne

  30. Patty Zaehringer says:

    Dear Diane and family,
    Was so sad to hear the news of Steve’s passing. I worked side by side with Steve for many years. He was a wonderful person to know.
    He had such a great smile and funny sense of humor and was always such a great help. He always made sure to tell everyone goodbye and to have a nice afternoon before he left each day. He was such a gentle giant and surely will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of sadness.

    Sincerely,
    Patty