Obituary: Steven Charles Tess

Steven Charles Tess, 67, of Sturgeon Bay, passed away unexpectedly Sunday evening, October 4, 2015, after suffering an apparent heart attack.

He was born June 1, 1948, in Sturgeon Bay, the son of Wallace Reinhold and Mildred Ruth (Duwe) Tess, Sr. Steve graduated from Sturgeon Bay High School in 1966 and also studied at American River College in California. He served in the United States Air Force from 1966 until 1974. Steve worked in construction for Bay Shipbuilding, PBI, and most recently for Alberts Plastering until his retirement at age 62.

On October 20, 1989, he married Judith Anne Novak at Sturgeon Bay Moravian Church where he had grown up attending Sunday school and singing in the church choir. Steve and Judy shared 26 years of marriage together.

He was a member of the Weber-Tess AMVETS Post 51 in Sturgeon Bay. Steve enjoyed shooting darts in league at the Hitching Post in addition to being a part of dart ball and bowling leagues, which he was constantly called in to sub for – a real ringer. In more recent years, he enjoyed playing golf and Sheepshead. Steve always liked watching the Packers.

He was definitely a handyman – a jack-of-all-trades who knew (at least) a little bit about lots of things. Steve had an answer for almost every problem, and even when he didn’t know an answer, he always knew the book to look it up in. Steve kept everyone’s car running. He loved puttering in the workshop to head-banging music. Steve taught his children how to play baseball in addition to other sports. He also enjoyed collecting beer steins and watches. Steve had an appreciation for musicals dating back to his days singing in the high school choir (and the church choir).

He will be deeply missed by his family: wife, Judy; three sons and two daughters, Rob (Jenny Tanck) Tess of Sturgeon Bay, Jennifer (Jason LaViolette) Tess of Green Bay; Rebecca (Tory Peterson) Tess, James Tess, Adam Tess, all of Sturgeon Bay; two grandchildren, Hailey Pichette, Emily Tess; one sister, Nancy Ford; one brother, Wallace “Butch” Tess, Jr., both of Sturgeon Bay; many nieces; nephews; and friends.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents; in-laws, Edward and Jane (Feest) Novak; two brothers-in-law, Paul Ford, Jack Thorpe; and uncle-in-law, Harold Feest.

Funeral services with military honors by the United States Air Force and AMVETS Post 51 will be held at 7:00 p.m., Friday, October 9, 2015, at Huehns Funeral Home in Sturgeon Bay, the Rev. Dr. Matthew R. Knapp, Sr., officiating. Friends may call at Huehns Funeral Home on Friday from 4:00 p.m. until the time of services.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given for Steve’s family.

A heartfelt thanks goes out to the Door County Emergency Services EMTs and the Ministry Door County Medical Center emergency room staff for their kindness and compassion.

Condolences and guestbook signing may be offered at www.huehnsfuneralhome.com.