Paul K. "Butch" Stier, 80, of West Bend, passed away Saturday, March 3, 2007 at SynergyHealth St. Joseph's Hospital, West Bend.
He was born on June 17, 1926 in West Bend to the late Francis and Nettie (nee Tuskey) Stier. Butch graduated from West Bend High School in 1944 and then served in the U.S. Army in the Pacific during WWII. On June 25, 1955 Butch was united in marriage to Audrey Herbrand at St. Luke's Church in Waukesha.
Butch was employed at the Gehl Co. for 37 years, retiring in 1988, and was a member of the Hexelbank Club. He also owned and operated Butch's Sport Shop in West Bend until 1962.
He loved the outdoors and was an avid fisherman. He loved to build custom fishing rods and rigs. He also loved American Water Spaniels and had seven of them as pets throughout the years. Butch and Audrey also enjoyed traveling and loved going to Ignace, Ontario, Canada. They traveled to Ignance every year since 1961 and in 1988 they began spending their summers there.
Butch was a very faithful servant of Christ. He was a member of Immanuel United Church of Christ in West Bend for many years and served in many leadership positions at the church. He was currently a member of Peace United Church of Christ in Kewaskum.
He is survived by his wife, Audrey; three children, Rev. Sharon Stier of West Bend, Kenneth (Julie) Stier of Wind Lake, and Laurie (Ron) O'Farrell of San Diego, CA; five grandchildren, Natalie and Kylie Stier, Ryan, Donovan, and Caitlin O'Farrell; a sister, Nancy (George) Kraemer of West Bend; two brothers-in-law George (Norma) Herbrand and Warren Herbrand, both of Waukesha, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Linda, a sister, Shirley Ackerman, and a brother, Earl Stier.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 8 at 7:00 p.m. at Peace United Church of Christ, 343 First St., Kewaskum, with Rev. Eric Kirkegaard and Rev. William Wiederanders officiating. Visitation will be at the church on Thursday from 3:00 p.m. until the time of services. Burial will be in Washington County Memorial Park, West Bend, on Friday at 10:00 a.m.
Memorials to Habitat for Humanity of Washington County or Peace U.C.C. would be appreciated.
Butch's family would like to express their sincere gratitude to Dr. Renee Jahnke, the ICU nurses at St. Joseph's Hospital, Pastor Eric Kirkegaard and Pastor Bill Wiederanders.