Louis P. Stepien, 84, American hero of the Korean Conflict, died Jan. 17, 2014, at a local hospital as a result of complications following surgery treating extensive disabling injuries suffered 61 years ago while serving in the U.S. Army.
Louis achieved the rank of sergeant and earned numerous awards, including the Bronze Star with V for Valor, the Purple Heart and other service medals. He was a member of the PLAV Post No. 178, Krakow, Oconto County DAV Chapter 45 and the Military Order of the Purple Heart No. 164, Green Bay. We are indebted to Louis for protecting the freedom we all enjoy in America.
After being honorably discharged from the military, he had been a dedicated employee of Carver Boat Company before becoming a rural mail carrier, serving mail routes in Sobieski, Abrams and Krakow. On May 21, 1960, he married Marion Valentine at St. Joseph Church in Chase.
The couple raised their family in Sobieski and had enjoyed 53 years of marriage. Louis was a one-in-a-million devoted father, husband, grandpa, great-grandpa, sibling and friend to many. He was exceptionally gifted with caring and empathy for others.
The son of the late Stanley and Frances (Kabara) Stepien was born April 2, 1929, in Morgan and was a graduate of Oconto Falls High School, Class of 1946. He was a member of Ss. Edward and Isidore Parish in Flintville and belonged to the Knights of Columbus, Bishop Bona Council No. 4439, Pulaski.
Louis was an avid fisherman and deer hunter, blue birder, arrow header, woodcarver and traveler. He especially enjoyed a trip to Poland with siblings to visit the homeland of their ancestors. Louis and Marion twice drove the Alcan Highway with their truck camper, spending their summers in Alaska.
Survivors include his wife, Marion; three daughters and one son, Marilu (Greg) Stepien-Belanger, Washburn, Peggy (Mike) Mastey, Pulaski, Dr. Kathy (Jim Rehfeldt) Stepien, Juneau, Alaska, and Jeffrey (Frances) Stepien, Sobieski; six grandchildren and one great-granddaughter, Ashley (Gary) Karcz and their daughter, Mya, Becca Mastey, Will and Alex Rehfeldt, and Cassandra and Mason Stepien; two step-grandchildren, Parker Cram and Cheyenne Roney; brothers and sisters, Sophie Kraszewski, Howard, Lloyd (Dorothy) Stepien, West Allis, Florence Kowalkowski, Pulaski, Marie (Ben) Schoenborn, Milwaukee, Lorraine Stepien, Howard, Dennis (Joann) Stepien, Green Bay, Jerry (Dorothy) Stepien, Sobieski, Bonnie (Dick) McDermid, Pulaski, Tom (Diane) Stepien, Green Bay; Marion’s family, Barbara (Larry) Tilque, Howard, Pat (Don) Hudson, Howard, Rosalie (Jim Liberton) Valentine, Burke, Va.; nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and two sisters and three brothers-in-law, Julie (Bob) Heinzen, Sister Dolorice (Stephanie) Stepien, Frank Kowalkowski and Donald Kraszewski.
Friends called at Marnocha Funeral Home, Pulaski, from 4-8 p.m. Monday. Veterans service was at 6:30 p.m., Knights of Columbus service at 7:15 p.m., followed by the wake service at 7:30 p.m. The visitation continued after 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at Ss. Edward and Isidore Church, 3667 Flintville Road, Green Bay (Flintville).
The funeral Mass was celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the church, with the Rev. Dave Hoffman presiding, followed by full military honors. Burial will take place in St. Joseph Cemetery, Chase, in the spring.
The family kindly requests no flowers, please. A memorial fund has been established in Louis’ name.
The Stepien family extends special thanks to the talented, caring staffs of St. Vincent Hospital ICU and Woodside Nursing Home Rehab Unit.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.marnochafuneralhome.com.
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