Photo courtesy of HILDEBRAND - RUSS FUNERAL HOME - Rhinelander
Jul 18, 1952 - Dec 6, 2025
My deepest condolences Lori and also to your family. I am stunned. If I can help you in anyway, please contact me. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Nancy Schultz
December 14, 2025 | Rhinelander, WI | Friend
Lori and family, sorry to hear of your loss. I have many memories of our friendship from High school and beyond. Steve was always a kind and considerate friend throughout our school shenanigans, snowmobiling and off-road racing experiences. A fond simple memory that pops into my head was his ability to add and subtract numbers without seemingly any effort. I will miss his presence on this planet.
ROD terzinski
December 13, 2025 | Rhinelander, WI, WI | Friend
I am sending you my deepest condolences on the passing of your brother, husband, and grandfather. I've know "Stevie" literally since we were babies. His mother and mine were good friends and we spent a lot of time together when we were young. I have pictures of the four of us, Carol, my brother, Joe, Stevie, and me - at birthday parties, playing in the yard, etc. He was a great guy. Rest in the arms of the angels, my friend.
Eldri Guldan-Zahn
Eldri Guldan-Zahn
December 11, 2025 | Tarpon Springs, FL | Friend
Dear family of Steve, I am so sorry to hear of your loss, I worked with Steve at the DOT and he was a great mentor and had a wonderful way of looking at things in a common-sense practical way that more of us should approach life with. He was also a thoughtful person; I feel blessed that I got to know him and learn from him and for those maple sugar cookies (made by his wife Lori) he would bring to meetings. My thoughts are with you all during this time.
Lisa Stern
December 10, 2025 | Madison, WI | Coworker
Dear Lori and Family - Tim and I were shocked to read of Steve’s passing. Our deepest sympathies go out to all of you. Tim often speaks of the fun they had in their younger days. Peace be with you during this difficult time.
Tim and Linda Helmick
December 10, 2025 | Rhinelander, WI | Friend
God's comfort, love, and condolences to Lori and AJ family and all who knew and loved him.
Warren & Jeanne Hilgendorf
December 08, 2025 | Perry, FL | Friend
Stephen "Steve" Kienitz
July 18, 1952 ~ December 6, 2025
Age ~ 73
Stephen “Steve” Kienitz, age 73, of Harshaw, Wisconsin, passed away on December 6, 2025, surrounded by his family at home.
Steve was born on July 18, 1952, in Tomahawk, Wisconsin, to Eugene “Gene” and Mary Kienitz. After graduating from Rhinelander High School in 1970, he attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Later, Steve married the love of his life, Lori (Miller) Kienitz, in 1989, and together they had one son, Andy “AJ”.
Before starting his 25-year career with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Steve had an eclectic mix of jobs, including semi-truck driver, beer deliveryman, and real estate agent. Steve retired from his position as Railroad Coordinator at the DOT in 2017. Steve also gave back to the community in many ways, dedicating years to establishing the Hodag BMX track, bringing Veterans to their appointments, and donating blood as often as possible.
In his younger years, Steve enjoyed off-road truck and snowmobile racing. Later, he liked visiting new craft breweries and helping Lori collect unique rocks for her ever-expanding gardens. Throughout his life, Steve loved the camaraderie of deer season and the Green Bay Packers.
One of Steve’s greatest joys was becoming a proud grandpa to Della (5) and Landon (2). He loved taking trips with them to the shores of Lake Superior, driving them around West Horsehead Lake on the pontoon boat, and patiently removing hundreds of tiny panfish for them.
Steve is lovingly remembered by his wife Lori; his son AJ (Alyssa) of Duluth, MN; his step-daughters Kelly Pecor of Merrill, WI and Jenny Pecor of Harshaw, WI; his two sisters, Carol (Bob) Carpenter of Marquette, MI and Gail Kienitz (Paul Sniegowski) of Richmond, Indiana; and his grandchildren, Della and Landon. He was preceded in death by his father Gene, his mother Mary, his father-in-law Harry “Ozzie” Miller, and his mother-in-law Shirley Miller.
At Steve’s request, there will be no immediate funeral services. A celebration of his life will be held in spring 2026.
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