Steven R. Graewin, 61, of Camp Douglas passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2016, at his home.
He was born Aug. 12, 1955, to Roger A. and LaVonne J. (Gnewikow) Graewin in Tomah. He was a member of the Brookwood High School graduating class of 1973 and attended DeVry Institute of Technology in Phoenix from 1973–1974 for electronic technology training. He also attended Western Wisconsin Technical Institute from 1980–1981, enrolling in the combination-welding course.
On Feb. 12, 1983, Steve was united in marriage to Sharon L. Thornsen.
Steve was an excellent welder and sheet-metal fabricator. He worked for various companies over the years: Webster Lumber Company in Bangor, Usemco Inc. in Tomah, WI Industries in Warrens, Riley Stoker Corporation, Alma Power Plant in Alma, Wis., Union Camp Corporation in Tomah, Winchel Welding in Elroy and Gartner Refrigeration in Tomah.
He worked at Walker Stainless in New Lisbon, where he fulfilled his apprenticeship requirements for a sheet-metal fabricator journeyman, graduating in the top 10 in his class with 3.98 grade point average.
He started up S&S Automotive and Welding at home with his wife Sharon at Camp Douglas. He did general auto repair, engines, transmissions, custom welding and metal fabrication, plus he also ran a small auto-parts store.
His latest employment was with United Sheet Metal Workers, Local 18, for which he traveled to different companies and educational buildings around the La Crosse, Wausau and Eau Claire areas and sometimes even to Madison and Wisconsin Rapids and as far as Minnesota and Tennessee.
He appreciated the good friends he met over the years through work and things he enjoyed doing, like racing at Tomah-Sparta Speedway, Dells and West Salem. He also enjoyed trapshooting over the years and loved trout fishing, deer hunting and spending time on the farm where he was raised.
Working with the maple trees, making maple syrup, gardening and planting also were some of his favorite pastimes, along with being outdoors on the days filled with sunshine on the motorcycle, discovering new trails and paths and thanking God for the wonderful fall colors and the beautiful landscape and enjoying the sunsets.
He is survived by his wife, Sharon of Camp Douglas; two brothers, Scott (Julie) of Mauston and Kerry of Wilton; and his brothers-law and sisters-in-law, Carol (Emil) Baumgart, Joan (Ron) Sutherland, John (Donna) Thornsen, Oran (Deanne) Thornsen, Alice (Jerry) Johnson, Owen (Trudy) Thornsen and Craig (MJ) Thornsen. He is further survived by many special nieces and nephews whom he loved like they were his own children.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Roger and LaVonne, and many aunts and uncles.
A funeral service was at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 24, at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church, 215 Douglas St., Camp Douglas. Pastor Jeff Ruetten officiated. Burial was at St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery in the town of Ridgeville.
The Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home in Tomah assisted the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be given at www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com.
“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.’” — John 8:12
