Stephen Paul Soltwedel

On Thursday, June 6, Stephen Paul Soltwedel, 77, passed away peacefully in Madison with his wife and children by his side. He was born on November 6, 1946 to Paul and Irene (Duren) Soltwedel in Cazenovia.

Steve graduated from the Madison Business College with a degree in accounting and finance in 1967 and went on to work at Filtertek-Esco Electronics in Hebron, Ill. for over 30 years, where he had a fulfilling career becoming the CFO and president of the company. He was a veteran in the United States Army and a proud member of the American Legion Post No. 491 in Cazenovia, his hometown.

In 1971 he met Linda Beede on a blind date. They married in 1972 and spent 53 years together. They raised their two children in Lake Geneva and moved to the Northwoods, St. Germain, after Steve’s retirement. Recently they relocated to Sun Prairie to be closer to their family.

Steve was an active community volunteer serving as a board member and president of the BoBoen Snowmobile Club in St. Germain and the St. Germain Lakes Association. Steve loved fishing, golfing, snowmobiling, watching his Badgers, Packers, and Brewers, and spending time with family and friends. His bright smile and positive demeanor filled up every room for those lucky enough to know him.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents Paul and Irene (Duren) Soltwedel; and his in-laws, Ben and Mattie Beede. 

Steve is survived by his wife, Linda; children, Paul (Maureen) Soltwedel, Kimberly (David) Upton; siblings, Dianne (Dennis) Dieter, Mary (Ronald) Barefield, John (Ellen) Soltwedel; grandchildren, Connor Soltwedel, Iain Soltwedel, Andrew Upton, Avery Soltwedel, Graham Upton.

A visitation will be held at the Farber Funeral Home in Reedsburg on Wednesday, June 12, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. followed by a memorial service at 11:30 a.m., with Chaplain Daniel Farber officiating. Burial with military rites will follow at St. Anthony’s Cemetery, rural Cazenovia. Donations in memory of Stephen can be made to the UW Medical Foundation Kidney Research, or to the American Legion Post 491 PO Box 64, Cazenovia, WI.