Stephen Atherton

Stephen E. Atherton, age 77, of Couderay, WI passed away on Saturday, July 4, 2015 at his home.

Stephen Edward Atherton Jr. was born February 26, 1938 in Oak Park, IL the son of Stephen and Clara (Hill) Atherton Sr. He moved with his family from Franklin Park, IL to Couderay, WI in 1948 where his family farmed and his father was a teacher. Stephen graduated from Winter High School in 1957 and then attended Scott Atwater Outboard Motor School in Minneapolis, MN. He went to work in the Hayward area and had several jobs before taking a position with the Sawyer County Highway Department. Stephen served in the National Guard and was called into active duty in October of 1961 and sent to Ft. Lewis, WA during the Berlin Crisis. On December 28, 1968 Stephen was joined in marriage to Kathryn Ellen Kyle at the Presbyterian Church in Couderay. He then took a ten week course at WITC in Rice Lake for carpentry and masonry so he could build a home for Kathy and himself. Stephen worked for Sawyer County for 35 years on the road maintenance crew. He served as the Assessor for the Township of Couderay from 1959 to 1961 and as first supervisor for the Township of Couderay from 1967 until present. Some of his favorite pastimes were model railroading and camping in South Dakota. He lived for his gatherings with the 7th Calvary Drum and Bugle Corp in Rapid City, SD where he played the bugle. Stephen will be remembered as a very patriotic person who deeply loved his country.

Stephen is survived by his wife of 46 years, Kathy; two children, Stephen (Jessica) Atherton III, Laurie (Russell) Key, both of Couderay, WI; two brothers, Gerald (Harla) Atherton, David (Pat) Atherton; two aunts, Gladys Doscher, Vivian Stackley; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

A funeral service celebrating Stephen?s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 11, at the Wesleyan Church in Stone Lake with Pastor Tim Young officiating. Visitation will be held from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Saturday at the church. Military Honors will be accorded by the State of Wisconsin Military Funeral Honors Program. Interment will be in the Evergreen Cemetery in Couderay, WI.

Casket bearers will be Stephen Atherton III, Gerald Atherton, Mike Atherton, Brad Beise, Russell Key, Karl Rubenstein and Charlie Warner.

Honorary bearers will be the 7th Calvary Drum and Bugle Corp.