Herman Steidinger, Jr

Herman Steidinger Jr., 71 of Little Chicago passed away on Wednesday, December 24, 2008 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital .

He was born September 22, 1937 in Wausau to the late Herman and Anna (Crochiere) Steidinger Sr. On June 7, 1958 , Herman married Mavis Uekert at Zion Lutheran Church , town of Rib Falls. Together they dairy farmed in the town of Rib Falls for 10 years. In 1968, Herman and Mavis purchased a bar/store in Little Chicago, formerly Schmidt’s, thus establishing Steidinger’s Bar and Grocery. A new store with beauty shop was built in 1975 and the bar was closed in 1987. Throughout the years, Herman continued to drive truck for Marth Wood Shavings, operated excavation equipment for Jim Schroeder in Wausau and again drove truck for Gene Voight Trucking. Herman was a member of the town of Hamburg Fire Department from 1968 until retiring in 2004. For 10 of those years he was Fire Chief. In his younger years, Herman enjoyed hunting, fishing, bowling, playing dartball and horseshoes.

Survivors include his wife Mavis of Little Chicago, a son, Steven (Joann) Steidinger of Cedarburg and their family, Alexander, Jacob, and Claire, a daughter, Kay (Christopher) Lynn of Tomahawk and their family, Skyler (fiancé-Stephanie Szymanski) and Cassandra, a son, Kevin (Ruth) Steidinger of Cary, NC, and their family, Carson and Bennett, a daughter, Sue (John) Simon of Cary, NC and their family, Brooke and Gabrielle, and two sisters, Valeria (Gordon) Baumann of Wausau and Angeline (Marvin) Matthiae of Ringle. Herman was preceded in death by a sister and brother-in-law, Arleen ( Milton ) Brandt.

Funeral services will be 2:30 p.m. , Sunday, December 28, 2008 at St. John’s Lutheran Church , town of Hamburg . Reverend James Klug will officiate. Burial will be in Big Hill Cemetery , town of Berlin . Visitation will be at the church Sunday from 12:30 p.m. until the time of services. Helke Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. You may sign our family guest book at helke.com.