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Feerick Funeral Home - Shorewood

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Donald Steinmetz Obituary

Steinmetz, Justice Donald Walter Entered Eternal Life on August 31, 2013, at the age of 88. Resident of Milwaukee Catholic Home formerly of Milwaukee. Beloved husband for 68 years of Marjorie M. Steinmetz (nee Olejniczak). Loving father of Mary Christine (Richard W.) Bird, Kathleen Marie (Ralf R.) Boer, Christian George (Barbara) Steinmetz, Susan Kathryn (Len) Leverson, and James Martin (Jean) Steinmetz. Proud grandfather of Kristine Sara (David) Muirhead, Kevin Michael (Jenny) Bird, Mimi (Kevin) Castelo, Charles Friedrich (Ashley) Boer, Alexander Jackson "Sandy" Boer, Trevor C. Leverson, Elizabeth Leverson, Emily Leverson, Hannah Leverson, Christian N. (Stephanie) Steinmetz, Anna Katherine Steinmetz, Lauren Marie Steinmetz and Kellie Margaret Steinmetz. Great-grandfather of Madison Brooke Muirhead, Emory Grace Muirhead, Alexis Belle Bird, K. Michael Bird, Nora Jane Castelo and Adelynn Christine Steinmetz. Further survived by other relatives and many good friends Don was an avid lover of life. Faith and family were the driving forces behind every decision in his life, from his days at South Division High School and UW-Madison through his retirement, including many occasions at Pauline's Kitchen in Okauchee. He proudly served our country in the Air Force as a bombardier-navigator from 1943 through the end of World War II. Don served as an assistant city attorney, assistant district attorney, county court judge, and circuit court judge in Milwaukee. He was a main influence behind the reorganization of the Wisconsin court system. In 1980 Don was elected to the Wisconsin Supreme Court, where he served until he retired in 1999. One of his proudest contributions to the citizens of Wisconsin was authoring the Wisconsin Supreme Court decision upholding school choice. He considered this decision to be the pinnacle of his career as a lawyer and judge. That decision, Jackson v. Benson, preceded the United States Supreme Court's decision upholding school choice, and was cited in that decision; it serves as a template for other states to follow. Don's wit and love will be sorely missed by all who knew him. Visitation will take place on Thursday, September 5, from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at the Feerick Funeral Home (valet parking will be available in front of the funeral home). Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, September 6, at 11:00 AM, at St. Robert Catholic Church, corner of East Capitol Drive and North Farwell Avenue, Shorewood. Entombment at Holy Cross Cemetery will be private for the family. Memorials in Don's name may be made to the Milwaukee Catholic Home, 2462 N. Prospect Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53211 or the American Diabetes, Milwaukee, WI, office, 375 Bishop's Way, Suite 220, Brookfield, WI 53005.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Sep. 4, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Donald Steinmetz

Not sure what to say?





September 11, 2013

My condolences to the family and friends of the deceased. May the God of all comfort be with you at this time .(Isaiah 61:1,2

Phil. 4:7 Kathy

September 10, 2013

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

September 10, 2013

To the family and dear friends, "... he will also make a way out in order for you to be able to endure it."- 1 Corinthians 10:13

Pamela Strong

September 10, 2013

A man of integrity who fought injustice. May the family find a measure of comfort knowing the God of all comfort will soon bring about true justice for all (Isaiah 61:8).

G. Freeman

September 10, 2013

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Linda

September 10, 2013

My deepest sympathy for your loss. Trusting in Jehovah's Promises
Comfort for your sorrow,
courage for each day,
Strength to face this journey,
His Word to light your way,
His peace to fill your heart,
although you may not understand,
And his love to hold you gently
in the hollow of His hand.

Dee

September 10, 2013

My condolences to Mr. Donald's family and friends. May prayer bring solace to all. Psalms 65:2

April

September 9, 2013

Please accept my sympathy for your loss. During this time, may all be comforted by the wonderful promise: "And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes and death will be no more. Neither mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away."

Michael Brown

September 9, 2013

Judge Steinmetz was high school classmate of my dad Robert Brown and while their professional paths did not cross your dad did keep in touch and it was a friendship my dad was very proud of and valued very much. Your family is in my prayers in your time of great sorrow. Michael Brown

G. Freeman

September 9, 2013

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

September 9, 2013

May God's Loving Kindness comfort your family and help you through this difficult time. Ps.147:3
With Deep Sympathy

September 8, 2013

Dear Susie and family,
your dad was such a nice man. always so kind. my prayers are for all of you.
Love,
teece and family.

September 8, 2013

With deepest sympathy to the Steinmetz family during your time of grief...God is for you a "refuge and strength", A help that is there to be found during difficult times...May God provide you with peace and comfort to endure the days ahead...(Psalm 62:8).

Judges John and Jean DiMotto

September 8, 2013

Donald was not only an excellent jurist but he was a good friend. We will miss him.

Condolences to the SteinMetz Family@Vicky&Andy

September 7, 2013

Victoria

September 7, 2013

Our thoughts
of condolences...
rest well
in a serene
side of
spiritual life'

September 7, 2013

to the family and dear friends, "... he well also make the way out in order for you to be able to endure it."- 1 Corinthians 10:13

CECIL COLLINS

September 7, 2013

A name is better that good oil and the day of death becomes better than the day of one's being born. It it not easy to live a life of integrity. So serving in the capacity of a High Justice in quite an undertaking. We are all indebted to Civil Servants who maintain the fabric of justice. The God of Justice never forget faithful men. Heb. 6:10.

James Willner

September 7, 2013

May the eternal light shine upon him.....

Charles Lestrick

September 7, 2013

Charles Lestrick

September 7, 2013

Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.

September 6, 2013

May his family find comfort and God know him personally. Malachi3:16

September 6, 2013

Sorry for loss.-Ps.55:22

Joe Trapp

September 6, 2013

What a great guy. He made it pure joy and fun to appear in his court.
Condolences to Don's family and a prayer for all.

Cheryl

September 6, 2013

May the God of all confort be with you.

September 6, 2013

My condolences to the family and friends. May you find comfort and strength from the God of all comfort. E.D. Park Forest, IL.

September 6, 2013

Psalm 65:2

Ms. Alexandet

September 6, 2013

To the Steinmetz family. I would like to express my condolences.

September 5, 2013

Hi
So sorry to hear of your loss. In the near future God, Jehovah God promises a wonderful time when all death, and sickness when be more.

Lisa LaBorde

September 5, 2013

To Marjorie and Don's entire family:

I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to you on behalf of my family for your loss. I so enjoyed meeting and talking with Don this past year at the Catholic Home and was certainly not expecting this very sad news. Please know we are all thinking about you.

Lisa LaBorde (Daughter of Gordon & Rosemary Jensen)
Tony and Joan Jensen

September 5, 2013

An outstanding father, lawyer, justice and mentor, He led many of us in the justice system to be fair, honest and professional. You have our sincere condolences. God be with you and the family.

Luke McClurw

September 5, 2013

How unfortunate, May you rest in peace.

September 5, 2013

Dear Marj and Family
I will truly miss Don and his great humor. My deepest sympathy to the entire family.

Here is my favorite passage from my husband's prayer card when he passed 18 months ago.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
2 Timothy 4:7

Peace be with you.

Joyce Britt
Milwaukee Catholic Home
Receptionist

mb

September 5, 2013

So sorry for your loss. Take comfort in God's word.

Dwayne Bickham

September 5, 2013

in God's care rest in peace

September 5, 2013

Heres a promise from god. And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes and death will be no more. Neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be any more. The former things have passed away.

September 5, 2013

Psalm 65:2

September 5, 2013

To the family of Donald Steinmetz,
My deepest sympathy are with you all. May the God of comfort strengthens you during this difficult time.

September 5, 2013

Know that Almighty God can give you strength to cope with your loss. For the power beyond what is normal is with God. 2 Corinthians 4:7 My condolences.

Correna Hurley

September 4, 2013

The story in the JS got it right - Don will definitely be remembered for his sense of humor! He always had a smile. Condolences to you Marge. Love, Correna

Katy Connell Bronson

September 4, 2013

Dear Jim, Jean, Kelly, Lauren, Mrs. Steinmetz and all the Steinmetz family- Please accept my and Joe's heartfelt condolences. Your dad was such a classy guy, so sweet and pleasant to talk with. He made everyone feel comfortable. I really liked him a lot and I know he will be missed and loved forever. All God's blessings to you and your family as you say goodbye. But I know he went straight to heaven!

Dan Finley

September 4, 2013

Don, you were a great neighbor on Okauchee Lake. I will never forget your story of you, many years ago, dumping some slot machines in the lake to hide them from the revenuers. RIP

Sue Dane

September 4, 2013

Dear Marj and family,
Judge Steinmetz was a kind man, loving and devoted to his family. As a staff member of the Catholic Home, I would often stop in to say "hello" while he was in the exercise room. He was always most gracious and we'd exchange greetings of the day. Although he will be remembered for his professional achievements, I will remember him for his humanity. May God grant him eternal rest. Sue Dane, former Director of Resident Services at Milwaukee Catholic Home.

September 4, 2013

It was a pleasure to have served him as a commissioner for the Supreme Court from 1981 through his retirement, including a lot of rides together from Waukesha County to the Capitol. A good guy; I'll miss him.

Gregory S. Pokrass
Pewaukee

Anne Catalane

September 4, 2013

Dear Marj and all Don's family:
Your devotion and love for Don and his for you were an inspiration to all who knew him here at the Catholic Home. I admit, however, that I will mostly miss his impish little smile and grand personality. Love and prayers to you all.
Anne Catalane
Director of Community Outreach
Milwaukee Catholic Home

Showing 1 - 47 of 47 results

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Memorial Events
for Donald Steinmetz

Sep

5

Visitation

4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Feerick Funeral Home - Shorewood

2025 East Capitol Drive, Shorewood, WI 53211

Sep

6

Mass of Christian Burial

11:00 a.m.

St. Robert Catholic Church

corner of East Capitol Drive and North Farwell Avenue, Shorewood, WI

Funeral services provided by:

Feerick Funeral Home - Shorewood

2025 East Capitol Drive, Shorewood, WI 53211

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