Obituary: Steven Edson Brunstrom

Steven Edson Brunstrom, born September 15, 1943 in Quincy, MA to Roy Victor Brunstrom and Natalie Frances (Sadler) Brunstrom passed away on April 22, 2018 due to complications of his 10 year battle with cancer. Steve attended Weymouth High School and graduated in 1961. From there he went onto Massachusetts Maritime Academy and graduated in 1964. Soon after he joined the Merchant Marines and sailed for 7 years becoming the youngest chief engineer.

In 1968, he met and fell in love with Karen Brandsema whom he married in 1970. Steve then took a job with ABS (American Bureau of Shipping) in 1971. That job took him and his family to Chicago, IL, Sturgeon Bay, WI, Yokohama, Japan, Boston, MA and back to Sturgeon Bay, WI in 1991. He LOVED his small town Sturgeon Bay. He created long lasting friendships from across the globe and retired in 2011 as the chief principal surveyor. Steve had many interests and hobbies including ‘messing about in boats’, a great love of music, playing the guitar and banjo, tinkering in his garage, gardening, dogs, storytelling, watching Jeopardy with Karen, listening to NPR, history esp the Civil War, Antarctic exploration and Maritime history, and spending time with friends and family.

Steve served on the Maritime Museum board of directors along with volunteering for the MM and receiving the Mariner of the Year Award in 2017. Steve is survived by his wife by his wife of 48 years, Karen; daughter Erika Arnold and husband Jeff; daughter Linnea and husband Adam; grandsons Samuel Edson, Charlie Parker, Owen (O-ski) and Francis Steven; sister Vicki Lynn Niles and husband Frank; niece Sarah Gadbois and husband Dan, and great nephew Benjamin; brother in law Eric Brandsema and wife Dawn; nieces and nephews Lars, Kristen and Bethany; and last but not least, his yellow lab puppy, Jack Tar.

We would like to thank the doctors and nurses at St.Vincent’s, Green Bay Oncology, Door County Cancer Center, Froedtert Hospital and recently Aurora Bay Care. Steve was extremely appreciative of the medical treatment and care he received over the years. Throughout his journey and even as his health deteriorated, he had a sense of humor, positive attitude and was grateful for the life he had. And as Steve would often say, “Life is Good.” A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, May 5 at 12:30, visitation from 11:30-12:30 at Hope United Church of Christ, 141 S 12th Ave., Sturgeon Bay, WI. Donations may be made to DoorCAN or Door County Humane Society.