Stephen Lee Parker

Stephen Lee Parker “Steve”

May 8, 1946 – July 20, 2025

Stephen L. Parker (“Steve”) entered eternal rest on Sunday, July 20, 2025, at Dimensions Living in Oconomowoc, WI, at the age of 79. He was born in Omaha, Nebraska and was the only surviving child of Hallie and Kenneth L. Parker.

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 56 years, Margaret M. Parker “Marg” (nee Doran), and survived by his loving children Joel Parker (Donna) of Concord, WI, and Carolyn Parker Leach of Bay View, WI. He is further survived by his cherished grandchildren Logan, Abigail, Porter, Casey, and Ryan; sisters-in-law Kathy Lansing (Lee) and Connie Bates (Doug); nieces Kelly Rand (Jason) and Cindy Metcalf (Eric); and nephew David Lansing. Steve is also fondly remembered by other extended family and friends. He was furthermore preceded in death by Hallie and Kenneth Parker and nephew Matthew Lansing.

Steve met Marg while both were attending Iowa State University (ISU). He earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and later obtained his Master’s Degree in Engineering from UW–Milwaukee. During his time at ISU, Steve was a proud and active member of the Theta Chi Fraternity, maintaining lifelong connections with his fraternity brothers. He was also Raised a Master Mason in 1967 at Arcadia Lodge No. 249 in Ames, Iowa.

Steve had a long and respected career in the field of Electrical Engineering. His career began at the Wisconsin Electric (WE) Port Washington Power Plant, then to the Oak Creek Power Plant, and eventually moved into Regulatory Affairs, where he worked for over 30 years. In 2004, he accepted a position with American Transmission Company (ATC) and the following year he and Marg built a new home in Oconomowoc, WI. Steve retired from ATC on June 6, 2014 after completing 45 years in the utility industry.

Steve had a deep intellect, a quiet and steady presence with a witty sense of humor, a heart of gold and an unrelenting fondness for candy corn! He enjoyed hobbies such as HAM radio, computers, racquetball, archery, and science fiction. Steve's HAM radio enthusiasm started in college where he and a roommate built the fraternity radio station – KIFC. Steve's amateur radio hobbies carried well into his post college career where his children remember their childhood home in Franklin, WI with a 50 foot tall radio antenna in the backyard! Steve was not a good cook and his children still laugh about the stew that he was supposed to make his children one night that ended up as thick as wallpaper paste! One food that Steve was a master at, was popping popcorn on the stove in which he shook his hips and danced while making Jiffy Pop. Steve was a founding member of the Apple computer user group “Double-Click,” which held monthly meetings at UW–Milwaukee. He and Marg were longtime members of Memorial United Methodist Church in Greenfield, WI and in later years, Divine Redeemer Church of Hartland, WI where they were active in both worship and fellowship.

Above all, Steve was a kind, loving, and devoted husband, father, and grandfather. His quiet strength and deep integrity will be missed every day and remembered always. The family wishes to extend their sincere thanks to everyone who has reached out to support Steve and his family, the staff at Dimensions Living and St. Croix Hospice for their kindness and compassionate care.

Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. funeral service on Saturday, August 2, 2025, at Memorial United Methodist Church, 3450 S. 52nd St., Greenfield, WI 53219. A small luncheon will follow. Afterward, a private family burial will take place at La Belle Cemetery in Oconomowoc. In lieu of flowers, memorials and donations to Memorial United Methodist Church are very appreciated. Pagenkopf Funeral Services is serving the family. For more information, call (262) 567-4457