Anton G. "Tony" Stepanek

1924 - 2014

Stepanek, Anton G. "Tony" Age 89, of Milwaukee, passed away surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, March 18, 2014, at The Residence at the Milwaukee Catholic Home. Tony was born in Milwaukee on November 28, 1924 to the late Anna (nee Rosenberg) and Anton Frank Stepanek. He is survived by children Mary Elizabeth Stepanek, Mexico City; Meg (Stepanek) Bollig, Flagstaff, AZ; Steven (Teresa) Stepanek, Salt Lake City, UT; Thomas (Renee) Stepanek, Racine, WI; Susan (Robert) Juneau, Neenah, WI; Paul (Rachel) Stepanek, Shanghai; daughter-in-law, Cathy (Tim) Stepanek, Minnetrista, MN; 15 grandchildren: David Stepanek, St. Petersburg, FL; Mark Stepanek, St. Paul, MN; Anna (Todd) Mehlhoff, Minneapolis, MN; Claire Stepanek, Minnetrista, MN; Molly Bollig, Brazil; Michael Bollig, Flagstaff, AZ; Christopher (Jaymie) Stepanek, Goodyear, AZ; Gabrielle Stepanek, Salt Lake City, UT; Emily Stepanek, Racine, WI; Haley Stepanek, Racine, WI; Thomas (Deidre) Rippl, Colgate, WI; Katie (Brian) Weber, Neenah, WI; Andrew Juneau, Neenah, WI; Anton P. Stepanek, Shanghai; Sadie Stepanek, Shanghai; seven great-grandchildren: Magnus and Oskar Stepanek, Teagan Stepanek, Katelyn and Julius Rippl, and Caroline and Frederick Weber. He was preceded in death by his wife Mary Jane (Haley) Stepanek, three children, Timothy (Cathy) Stepanek, Minnetrista, MN; and infant children Mark John and Mary Florence Stepanek; two sisters, Libby (Vern) Palmer and Anne (Glenn) Craig; brother-in-law, Dr. John Haley and sister-in-law Jean (Haley) Quigley. Tony lived in Antigo, WI as a young boy. He worked at the family bakery, started college at the University of Wisconsin, Madison before he entered the U.S. Armed Services in 1943. He served in the 78th Infantry Division in Europe in Company C 310 Infantry. He received an honorable discharge in 1946 as a Technical Sergeant having received 3 Bronze Service stars and a Purple Heart. He graduated from Marquette University in Business. Tony married the love of his life, Mary Jane Haley of Chippewa Falls, WI on August 16, 1947. They were blessed with 9 children and nearly 64 wonderful years, prior to Jane's passing in 2011. Tony was employed by Robert W. Baird where he was a Partner until 1974 when he joined the George Banta Company in Menasha, Wisconsin as CFO. After retiring in 1987 Tony and Jane retired to Vero Beach, Florida and traversed between Florida and Wisconsin. They travelled the world extensively. Tony was actively involved with several parishes in Milwaukee including: Holy Family, St. Monica, St. Robert, St. Eugene; in Neenah-Menasha: St. Patrick, and Vero Beach: Holy Cross. His volunteer work included St Roberts and Dominican High School Boards, St. Peter's Academy (Vero Beach) math tutoring, and Book Buddies at the Milwaukee Catholic Home. He had a lifelong enjoyment of music, photography, dancing, swimming, bowling, sailing, tennis, water and snow skiing and bike riding especially when shared with family and friends. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the wonderful staff at the Milwaukee Catholic Home for their loving care and appreciation of our father, Tony. Special thanks to Neal Schuster and Sandy O'Brien who provided athletic training and friendship to maintain his strength and keep his spirits up. Family will greet friends from 1:00 to 2:00 PM on Sunday, March 23, at the Milwaukee Catholic Home, St. Anne's Chapel, 2462 N. Prospect Avenue, Milwaukee, followed by a Memorial Service honoring Tony's Life at 2:00 PM. Family will also greet friends on Monday, March 24, from 1:00 to 2:00 PM at the Church of Notre Dame, 117 Allen St., Chippewa Falls, WI followed by the celebration of the Mass of Christian Burial at 2:00 PM. Interment will take place at Calvary/Hope Cemetery, Chippewa Falls, following the Mass. Memorials in Tony's name may be made to the Milwaukee Catholic Home Music Appreciation Program.