Siegfried J. Stellberg

Siegfried John Stellberg (Sig) joined his beloved Mickey in heaven on November 15. Sig was born on January 26, 1918 in LeRoy, Wisconsin to Katharine Zehren and August Stellberg. He graduated from Mayville High School in 1936 and attended Dodge County Normal School. Sig served in the Army as a guard at Fort Gordon during World War II. After his discharge, he returned to Mayville and began his career with John Deere. Upon his retirement from Deere, Sig began a second career as a Realtor in the Northwoods which he actively pursued until age 89. Although they were in the same class in high school, Sig and Mickey did not begin to date until they had graduated and ran into each other at the Beaver Dam skating rink. They were married on November 22, 1941 and remained partners and best friends until Mickey passed away in April of 2008. Their daughter Laurie-Jean completed the family. After beginning his career as a mechanical engineer, Sig’s career with Deere took them to Germany for 10 years where he was the operational manager with 500 employees and then to Taiwan for 4 years where he designed and produced the short-lived John Deere bicycle. Embracing an ex-pat life style, the family traveled extensively in both Europe and Asia, where Sig learned to speak fluent German, French and Mandarin. His favorite trick was to tell silly (but long!) jokes in obscure German dialects. Of all his accomplishments, Sig was proudest of being accepted by the German hunting community. Sig brought home mounts from all over Europe and loved telling stories about hiking up the mountains in Hungary or Yugoslavia after his prey. He was also an avid photographer and carpenter. Beginning in the early days of their marriage, Mickey and Sig visited the Northwoods every summer. In 1979 they made the Minocqua area their home, living on Fence Lake for 15 years prior to relocating to Arbor Vitae. They enjoyed golfing, fishing and card games with their many friends. Every night they would sit in the den and do crossword puzzles together, although Sig always cheated and kept the dictionary right at his side. Always proud to give back to the community, Sig was past president of the Rotarians, a Knights of Columbus member and active in St. Anthony’s men’s club. Sig will be remembered for his intelligence, kindness and courtesy to all. But those closest to him will mostly remember his laugh that almost rocked him out of his chair! In 2009, Sig relocated to the Golden Age Center in Tomahawk where he charmed the staff with his grin and twinkling Paul Newman eyes. The family would like to express their deepest thanks to those who kept him safe and fed him ice cream for 4 years. Siegfried is preceded in death by his wife, Marie Catherine; both parents; brother, August and nephew, Dale. He is survived by his daughter, Laurie-Jean; his sister-in-law, June and numerous nieces and nephews, especially, Gerry, Susan, Jeff and David Kahlow. A Funeral Mass will be at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Tomahawk, Wisconsin on Wednesday, November 20. Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM and the Mass will follow at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Oneida County Humane Society or the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Institute at the UW would be appreciated.

Siegfried J. Stellberg

January 26, 1918 - November 15, 2013