Leon Arthur Stephenson, 78, of Green Bay, was summoned to his heavenly Home believing God’s promise of eternal life on Friday, December 28, 2018. Leon attended Sevastopol Consolidated School and furthered his education at Stout State College where he was granted B.S. and M.S. degrees and received the Medallion Award for wrestling ability. He was inducted into the Wrestling Hall of Fame at Stout State College.
On June 13, 1964 he was united in marriage with Berdella Ann Kiehnau on at Zion Ev. Lutheran Church in West Jacksonport. He did his student teaching at Preble High School and was hired for the next school year.
He was proud of the fact that he spent his entire teaching career, 50 and a half years, in the same shop. He coached wrestling for 15 years and taught an adjunct night class for adults for NWTC at Preble for 34 and a half years. Leon served on the curriculum committee and judged woodworking projects for NWTC.
He retired from Preble in 1995 and NWTC in 2012. He was a member of Zion Ev. Lutheran Church in West Jacksonport.
Leon’s faith was important to him and he bore his illness patiently, without complaining. He was a kind, mild mannered, soft spoken gentleman and a man of his word. He was a skilled woodworker, always striving for perfection in all that he did.
Leon’s last major project was an advent wreath for Zion. He enjoyed snowmobiling, especially a trip to Canada with Sno-Decker Tours. He was at peace sailing the bay of Green Bay on his sailboat, Uncle’s Toy.
Leon enjoyed taking friends out to the middle of the bay for Sunday brunch on the boat. Antique cars were another passion. He enjoyed having friends ride in the parades in Door County in his_1927 Chevy Sedan.
He LOVED a parade and would often invite children to hop on the running board and toot the horn. His pride and joy was his 1937 Chevrolet Coupe, “Black Beauty”. He was the 3rd owner and he owned it for over 30 years.
He liked to get out in the woods and saw logs and joined in making firewood Thanksgiving weekend with the family. He loved to get up early and watch the birds at the feeders and the water fowl on the bay. He always took time to reflect on the day as he watched the sun set over the bay.
Leon and Berdella traveled across the United States and Canada and drove the Alcan Highway to Alaska twice. They camped out of the back of the pickup truck for 36 years in a cap that he outfitted for them, until they bought an RV. They traveled to Europe for a cruise on the great rivers of Europe and toured Costa Rica and Guatemala.
Leon enjoyed traveling and hiking the trails in the National Parks. He enjoyed spending time with children and cherished his role as uncle. The neighborhood children sought him out, ringing the doorbell to ask if Mr. Stephenson could come out to play.
They were all treated to snowmobile rides and inner tubing on the bay ice. He made the ride more exciting by shoveling up snow speed bumps. The children from the neighborhood loved to spend time in his shop in the summer.
There were always plenty of nails to pound into soft pine boards to make designs to paint. They also learned how to use a hand saw. He worked to inspire creativity and to share his love of woodworking.
Leon will be missed by his wife, Berdella; brother, Elton (Dee) Stephenson; sister, Jane (Ron) Splingaire; sisters-in-law, Joyce Stephenson and Marilyn DeNamur; nieces and nephews, Larry (Cheryl) Stephenson, Beth (John) Barnott, Sherri (Scott) Tomb, Jeff (Heather) Stephenson, Andrew Splingaire, Julie (Cory) Behnke, and Timothy Splingaire; great-nieces and nephews, Ashley Stephenson, Jake Bernott, Alex and Austin Tomb, Brooke and Emily Splingaire, and Josie and Lainie Marie Behnke. Leon was welcomed Home by his parents, Arthur (2007) and Stella (Felhofer) Stephenson (2009); brother, Eugene (2009); sister-in-law, Betty (Haen) Stephenson (2014); and brother-in-law, Gary DeNamur (2018). A service in celebration of Leon’s life will be conducted at Zion Ev.
Lutheran Church, West Jacksonport and visitation at Huehns Funeral Home in Sturgeon Bay with times to be announced. Special thanks to his caregivers who treated him with love, compassion, dignity and respect during his arduous journey. Memorials may be directed to Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church School 6704 County Trunk T, Egg Harbor, WI 54209, also to Curative Connections, Insider II Program, 2900 Curry Lane, Green Bay, WI 54311, and the Alzheimer’s Association.
Huehns Funeral Home is assisting the Stephenson family. Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Leon may be shared with his family through his tribute page at www. huehnsfuneralhome.com.
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