Fred Byron Stevens Sr.
Funeral Services will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, August 7, 2017 at the Arkdale Trinity Lutheran Church, 1650 Church St., Arkdale, WI. Private inurnment will take place in East Arkdale Cemetery. A visitation for Fred will be held on Sunday, August 6, 2017 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Roseberry’s Funeral Home, 512 Main Street, Friendship, WI and again at the church on Monday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service.
Fred Byron Stevens, Sr., was born in Del Rio, Texas, the second son of Warren Harvey Stevens I and Hilda Stevens. The family returned to their home state of Wisconsin when the dam project on which Warren worked as a foreman was completed. Fred attended schools in Keystone, Bob Lake and Colfax, Wisconsin, graduating in 1945 from Colfax High School where he participated in numerous activities and sports.
Fred joined the Army and shipped out to Alaska just after the end of World War II, where he served before returning home and joining the reserves. He worked as a carpenter apprentice, with his father, in Castle Rock, WI, for a short time, during which he met Esther Helen Pedersen and soon married her at Arkdale Trinity Lutheran Church on December 17, 1949. The newlyweds moved to Minnesota, only to be called back to Arkdale, WI when Fred received orders to report for active duty. He served as a Seventh Cavalry Sergeant in the Korean Conflict and was honorably discharged after he was wounded in the back by shrapnel. He received the Purple Heart as well as other commendations for his service, and he is a veteran of both World War II and Korea. He was an active member of the VFW and the Purple Heart, and he served in the VFW Honor Guard in Adams-Friendship, WI, honoring fellow service members.
Fred rejoined his family, including his seven-month old son, Fred Bryon Jr., in Arkdale before moving them to Kenosha County. He worked as a carpenter, but then attended vocational school to study engineering. He worked at the Tri-Clover Division of Ladish Corporation in Kenosha, working as a parts programmer, supervisor, plant shift superintendent and Impro-Share Coordinator for the company’s profit sharing program. He retired after more than 30 years in 1989. He was a charter member of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Employees Local 92.
Fred was a family man, being part of a large extended family, and he enjoyed visiting with them all, young and old. He could be found discussing controversial politics one minute, then making faces and laughing with a baby the next. He entertained his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, whether teaching them to fish, or bouncing them on his knee. He was known to kick up his heels at dances, and he loved to polka. He brought his family camping and travelled throughout the US, Canada and Europe on many a vacation with Esther and other family members. He took part in Boy Scout activities with his sons and occasionally served as a chaperone for Bradford High School Band.
His faith journey started in the Lutheran Church Wisconsin Synod in Chippewa Falls, WI. During his life in Kenosha, he joined First Congregational Church and attended services there for many years before returning to the Lutheran Church when he and Esther joined St. Mary’s Lutheran of Kenosha. After retirement, he and Esther moved back to Arkdale to live closer to family members and were both active members of Arkdale Trinity Lutheran Church.
He died this week following a long battle through the labyrinth of Alzheimer’s disease, during which he always kept his sense of humor and recognized the love flowing to him from his family, even when he didn’t recognize them.
Fred is preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Robert and Warren II, two infant twin sisters, and numerous family, including brothers and sisters-in-law and friends. He is survived by his loving wife of almost 68 years, Esther Helen (nee Pedersen) who currently resides in Kenosha; sons, Fred Jr. (Pat Chastain) of Kerrville, TX; Ronald (Betty) and Jeffrey (Donna Gaddy) of Kenosha; daughters, Debra Stevens (Bob Wheeler) of Kenosha and Susan Dempsey (Jeff) of High Ridge, MO. He is also survived by grandchildren, Joseph, Michael, Michelle, Samantha, Stacy, Amanda, Brianna, Abigail and Ethan, and great-grandchildren Haley, Jenna, Trista, Landon, Ivy, Lena, Julian, Gino, Dante, Isabella, Esterlynn and two on the way. Other members of his surviving family include his brother, Thomas (Vero Beach, FL); sisters, Dorothy Hedman (Hayward, WI), Patricia Balk (Kenosha), numerous sisters and brothers-in-law, cousins, nieces and nephews.
The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, memorial remembrances be directed to Adams County Honor Guard, c/o Earl Nahmens, PO Box 465, Friendship, WI 53934.
Roseberry’s Funeral Home of Friendship and Piasecki-Althaus Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Kenosha are assisting the family.
My memory of Fred is from many years ago at the local Blood Bank. Obviously we were talking after we donated blood and he said the old saying, a pint a pound the world around. I think of this often. He was really fun to talk to and also listen to.
Aunt Esther and kids,
I want you to know that since my Mom and Dad passed away I do not attend many funerals. I find it excruciatingly painful for me as I did see my Mom and Dad suffer before passing. I would have done anything to not have to see that. Why couldn’t it have been me to take the pain away. There was no way I would have missed Uncle Fred’s funeral and seeing his family again. Uncle Fred was one of the most compasionate, intelligent, humble and honest men I have ever known. It did not seem that a day went by that he did not show his caring. He was one of the most nonjudgmental relatives I have known. I find great honor and respect not only for Uncle Fred, but so much respect for your family. I truly respect all that you did for Uncle Fred and I find it a blessing that your family is so lovingly close. I write this with great honor that Uncle Fred was exactly that, my greatest uncle.
My deepest sympathy, may God help you all through this difficult time.
Our deepest condolences. We didn’t get a chance to know Fred as we met him in his later years. But I read his son Fred’s book and learned a lot about the person Fred was. What a wonderful family he had so caring and loving. He will be a special angel ? to everyone
And keep everyone on their toes. May he RIP.
Prayers and hugs to Aunt Esther and my beloved cousins as you say goodbye to Uncle Fred.. He will be greatly missed. Love to all of you.
Roy will be happy to greet Fred as he enters heaven! Esther is a sister that is truly loved by all of us that follow behind him. God is truly with us as we grieve his loss.
Much Love,
Beryl, Gary & Michael
Roy will be happy to great Fred as he enters heaven! Esther is a sister that is truly loved by all that follow behind him. God is truly with us as we grieve his loss.
Much Love,
Beryl, Gary & Michael
Sorry for your loss. My deepest sympathy to Fred’s family.
Growing up I spent as much time at the Steven’s house as I did my own. Such a wonderful, gentle, and humble man. Those who knew him are blessed indeed.
I work with Susan Fred’s daughter, and I feel as thought I know Fred. Susan spoke of him often with great pride and admiration. My thought and prayers go out to Susan and her family.
Love and prayers to all of you! The close bonds of your family and the wonderful memories will give you strength at this time of deep loss. Good bye to dear Uncle Fred an honorable man who will be missed so much by so many! Hugs for you Aunt Esther and to my cousins! May God comfort you with the faith of Heaven. Sincere sympathy, Julie
What an honor it was to have Uncle Fred in our family. He kept us all entertained throughout the years and contributed greatly to our community. You all have been the rock to which he clung to during his last difficult years even if he didn’t always know it. Somehow, a little light would shine through and you knew he was still inside there somewhere. I will miss him greatly.
Prayers for the Stevens family. My heart goes out to you all. Prayers for u all God bless rip
Our prayers are with you and your family .
As I read Uncle Fred’s obit it brought tears to my eyes, what a great man. He has left a legacy behind. He brought smiles to all he meant. Heart of gold. So proud of his children and grandchildren. His love of Aunt Esther was grand. Hold each other close and share memories. We are so sorry on your loss of husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, brother in law, uncle, and friend. Uncle Fred rest in peace. We all love and will miss you. But want everyone to know how you have touched our hearts. May God, family and friends comfort you