Stephen J. Downs

Stephen Downs Obituary

Downs, Stephen J. Age 56. Died suddenly Wed., May 24, 2006. Beloved husband of Cheryl (nee Laluzerne). Father of Ashley, Rachel (Mike) Rolefson, Scott (Kim). Grandfather of Nicole and Daniel. Brother of Mike, Tom, Sharon and Mary. Son in law of Irvin and Louise Laluzerne. Brother-in-law of David, Randy and Brian Laluzerne, Chris Bartelt and Laura Rolerat. Worked at WE Energies for 34 years, retiring Power Plant Manager P4. Celebration of his life Thursday, June 1 at Crystal Ridge Ski Lodge, 7900 W. Crystal Ridge Dr., Franklin, 5-8PM. Casual attire. In lieu of flowers, donations to your favorite charity.

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Published by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel from May 30 to May 31, 2006.

Memories and Condolences
for Stephen Downs

8 Entries

Steve and Cindy Gillingham

June 1, 2006

Cheryl and Ashley,

So sorry to hear about Steve. We remember Steve from Ski Patrol. He was always known as the gentle giant. He would act mean and gruff with our kids and most of the other kids at the ski hill, but most knew it was all an act. We had a great time on our trip out to Grand Targee staying at the Teepee Lodge. Every year we kept promising ourselves to have a reunion, but it never happened, and now we will regret it. Hope to see you soon.

David Williams

May 31, 2006

I first met Steve in a restaurant in Waukesha WI in the spring of 2003. We met with other riders who were planning an adventure...a quick paced motorcycle trip to the Laconia, New Hampshire, motorcycle rally in early June. Steve was doing most of the planning and he wanted to determine if the "new" guy from Iowa City could handle a ride averaging 500 miles a day. I had ridden from Iowa to Madison then Waukesha and would be returning to Madison that night. He was satisfied that I could "keep up".

In June, we met at 4:00am just north of the Wisconsin-Illinois state line and headed east. Two days later, the "posse" of eight riders, six from the Milwaukee area, arrived in Lincoln, New Hampshire, tired but pleased with our accomplishment. We later continued eastbound until we met the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, and decided to head westward back home to Wisconsin and beyond. A true adventure.

In June 2004, I again rode (yes, a road trip...seeing places we may never see again) with Steve, this time to the headwaters of the Mississippi River in northern Minnesota. We followed the river south all the way to St. Louis. We discussed about maybe riding the following year all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. We didn't get the chance to complete that plan.

I truly enjoyed the fellowship and experience of knowing Steve. I know that his family Will miss him dearly. I will too.

See you down the road. My prayers to his family.

Jerry Weeden

May 31, 2006

I shared 36 years of true friendship with Steve. It all began in the WEPCO Employment office in June of 1970 when we showed up for our first day of work. We also shared the weekend before his death on a golf trip in Wisconsin with other close friends. Our bag tags were labeled the Hillbilly and the Hoosier. I will always be grateful for that last opportunity to spend time with my friend. He was a brother to me and others and he was loved by our children. He liked to portray himself as being gruff and grumpy with the kids but they all saw right through him. He would bark and they would laugh. He was always on call to help out his friends in need. I know that he would be a bit uncomfortable with all the fuss being made by those of us who were close to him but I also think he would be proud of what he left behind. I have lost a best friend and it hurts. I will miss him. Cheryl and Ashley, I love you both.

Sheila Ehemann

May 30, 2006

Cheryl & Ash, I will never forget all the times that I got to see the Tall Tree with his arms folded, acting like he was all grumpy, but of course in the end, cracking a huge toothy smile cuz he loved us little girls picking on him. There are too many memories to count with you two and Steve and I'm so happy to call you guys family because that's what you are. Long live Steve's memory and of course his favorite rabbit, Poopsy. :))) Love, Sheila

Jaime Ortiz

May 30, 2006

My prayers go out to Steve's family and friends. I worked with Steve at We Energies, he was always very nice and had a smile for me. God Bless.

Tom Levinson Joan Schneider

May 30, 2006

Cheryl, So sorry to hear about Steve. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. We both remember Steve as a great guy. He was super to work with.

Tom Mlinar

May 30, 2006

Worked with steve for many years, one of the best bosses ever. Can only say he was the most understanding supervisor I ever had worked with. God Bless

Beth Weeden

May 30, 2006

Cheryl and Ashley- I am so sorry for your loss. Steve has made so many special memories in all of our lives. From our group family vacations, in all of the full size vans; to helping me fix up my new kitchen. He will always be remembered for his kind heart that he did not want to show. I love you Cheryl and Ashley!

Love, Beth Weeden

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