Steven Sticht

Steven "Steve" Allen Sticht, 71, passed away peacefully in his home the afternoon of Thursday, June 24, 2021, surrounded by family.  Steve was born on June 16, 1950, in Missoula, Montana.  He was raised primarily in Russell, Minnesota, by a loving mother, Muriel Peterson, née Smedsrud, and his stepfather, Edward (Eddie) Peterson.  After graduating high school, Steve enlisted in the United States Navy and served as a hospital corpsman in San Diego and in Okinawa, Japan, with the Third Marine Battalion.  Following active duty, Steve built a career as a firefighter and paramedic for the De Pere Fire Department, rising to the level of Assistant Chief.  A consummate hard worker, Steve also again enlisted in the United States Navy, this time in the Reserves, retiring after 22 years of service as a Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman.  Never content to sit still, Steve continued to work in healthcare for years following his “retirement.”

Steve married Taryn "Tary" Sticht, née Conner, on August 14, 1976, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  Steve and Tary raised three children, Amy, 48 (Brock), Stephanie, 42 (Jeff) and Luke, 40 (Deborah).  Steve is survived by his wife; his siblings Larry and Deborah; his father-in-law, Bill Conner, and Bill’s wife, Romaine; all his children; his 10 grandchildren; one great grandson; and numerous nieces and nephews.  He is preceded in death by his parents; his mother-in-law, Joyce; one brother, John Sticht; and Cheryl O’Keefe, his former spouse and mother of his daughter, Amy.

Steve was born to tinker, well known to friends and family for his ability to “MacGyver” useful household objects out of whatever he had lying around.  He loved motorcycles and enjoying motorcycle trips with his son, brothers-in-law, and nephews.  He had a particular interest in small engines, once retrofitting a bicycle with a gas-powered – and very loud – motor.  Along with Tary, Steve was also an experienced dog owner, having raised many faithful German Shepherds, an English Mastiff, and some mutts over the years.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 PM on Sunday, June 27, 2021 at St. Ann Catholic Church, 323 N. Van Buren Street, Stoughton, with Fr. Randy Budnar officiating.  Friends and relatives are invited to a luncheon reception at the Stoughton VFW immediately following.  Visitation will be held from 12noon until the time of Mass at church on Sunday.

Steve’s family would like to thank UW Health and Heartland Hospice for all their care and expertise throughout Steve’s journey.

Please share your memories of Steve by posting on his Tribute Wall.

Cress Funeral Service

206 W. Prospect Street, PO Box 231, Stoughton

(608) 873-9244