Steven "T.S." Wahlen

“T.S. Whalen,” born Steven Mark Wahlen, age 65, of Green Bay, exited this plane on Sunday, June 29, 2025. He was born on August 22, 1959, to the late Theodore Wahlen and Patricia Meyer (Schweitzer) in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin.

Steven graduated at the top of his class from Beaver Dam High School in 1977, after which he was accepted into UW–Madison, where he studied Communications and Media.

While in Madison, Steven started his first band, Einstein's Riceboys, contributing as a songwriter, drummer, and vocalist. Over the decades, he took a leading creative role in numerous other bands, including Cherry Cake, Monkey Bar, D-Minus, and Figgy Figgy. He collaborated closely with artists across a wide range of genres, recording and performing with Boy Dirt Car, Impact Test, Life and Death Troubadours, Peder Hedman Quartet, Voot Warnings/Fresh Sounds, and Fuckface. Steven also brought his unique energy and voice to Milwaukee’s annual Trash Fest, where he participated in ad hoc ensembles such as Kneel Young, Steven Christ Superstar, and Van Whalen—acts that reflected both his theatrical flair and love of satire.

Steven had a relentless, searching intellect. He reflected critically on the human condition, engaged thoughtfully with public radio and televised news, and absorbed books, poetry, philosophy, and culture with the same intensity that defined both his art and his life. He held an abiding affection for animals, both wild and domestic. Sports were not a distraction but a daily discipline. He followed every major league with the mind of a tactician, the heart of a fan, and the dream of someone who once imagined himself on the field. He was an early and unwavering devotee of The Jim Rome Show, which while listening, brought a visceral sense of relief during the often traumatic medical experiences of his final months.

Steven is survived by his partner of thirteen years, Stacy Vandenput, who witnessed and honored the whole of his journey with abiding love; his brother, Barry (Tracy) Wahlen, whose presence in the end meant more than words could say; his nephews, Luke and Casey Wahlen; their mom, Christine Wahlen; and many uncles, aunties, cousins, and kin. He is also remembered by Stacy’s children and grandchildren—Raven (Justin Lee), Jade, Sage, Haylem (Portia Young), and Belle—who shared many moments with him. His biological daughter, Stephanie Dombrowski, was adopted as an infant. His dear “snoutus,” Zara Brown, whom he affectionately called “CNA-Dog,” was a constant presence through everything.

Steven is deeply missed by his closest friends: Darren and Julie Brown; Carter Kuehn; Bobby Friedman and Michelle Moore; Tim and Jo Anne (Stroud) Taylor; Keith and Janet Brammer; Erik and Mary Jo Tunison; KT Rusch; David Wood; Victor Demichei; Kurt Bauer; David Szolwinski; Danny Kubinski; Michael Ciaccio; Pam Podolak; John Frankovic; Todd and Sheldon Rusch, and Steve Witt—as well as by Dale Peters, who connected with Steven in his later years and shared in one of his final creative efforts—along with countless others from the music scene across Wisconsin and beyond.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his infant brother Tracy Lee Wahlen, and many ancestors from the Schweitzer, Wahlen, Muenchow, and Beecher families of Beaver Dam. Also among those who passed before him were elders from Stacy’s family with whom he shared bonds. Steven was deeply grieved by the deaths of dear friends: Peder Hedman, Mike Hoffmann, and Tony Rake.

Steven’s family would like to extend special thanks to his oldest confidant, Sean Ahasay, and to Christine Reno Reinke—coined by Steven, in classic form, as the bitch who took my shoes—for their enduring and tireless support, as well as to Harry Sydney of My Brother’s Keeper and Ron Kelly from the Wise Men’s Group at Wise Women Gathering Place, both of whom stepped in with care during critical moments.

In the late afternoon and into the evening of August 22, 2025 a memorial gathering and rock-n-roll show will be held at the GBUFO Museum Gift Shop and Records, 2248 University Ave, Green Bay to celebrate Steven's life and work. The Smart Shoppers, Vile Bees, Delicious Monsters, and Spit Takes will be performing. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to either of the above organizations and/or Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary.