Roger Lee Stutzman

With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Roger L. Stutzman on August 27, 2025 at the age of 89. Born on March 23, 1936 in Milwaukee to parents Raymond R. Stutzman and Irma C. (Frier) Stutzman, Roger was a highly skilled tradesman, an enthusiastic outdoorsman, and an artist at heart.

He is survived by his wife of almost 67 years Ellen (Hurley) Stutzman; his children Kathryn Koscielniak (Michael) and Michael Stutzman (Jerelene); grandchildren Nicholas Koscielniak (Michelle), Morgan Kasten (Kii), Johnathon Stutzman (Emily Card), and Emma Stutzman-Casey (Cameron); great-grandchildren Sydney Koscielniak, Eleanor Koscielniak and Karoline Kasten, a sister Nancy Knapp (Tom) and many nieces and nephews who adored their “Uncle Rog”. He is preceded in death by his parents, a beloved brother Lee, and a cherished granddaughter Kristin whom he has now been sent to nurture.

Roger was a proud graduate of Custer High School in Milwaukee and almost immediately started a 42 year career as a Ceramic Tile Setter. After retirement he continued to serve as an apprentice trainer for another 14 years and mentored many new craftspeople and acquired the loving nickname “the Tile Dinosaur”. He took great pride in his work and approached every task with an artist’s eye for detail, composition and aesthetic appeal.

His most cherished hobby was following his grandchildren’s many activities and reminding them, if they got sassy, that “the will was written in pencil 🙂 ”. Roger had a keen sense of humor and could tease with the best…it was his love language.

Roger lived to fish, especially with his good buddy Rick…”if you’re not catching weeds, you’re not catching fish”…and he became an avid muskie fisherman spending many hours on Pewaukee Lake in search of his next big trophy. He also loved to hunt; white tail deer hunting was a lifelong pursuit and he spent many memorable hunts with his fun loving brother-in-law “Sea-gull” with whom he shared a lot of mischief and good times. “Owie owie, Bobby Bobby” was an oft heard phrase in our family. Roger also had many successful Turkey, Bear and even several Elk hunts out west.

Later in life, Roger developed a passion for his many artistic pursuits, starting with painting and ending with a remarkable talent for Wood Carving. Our most treasured Christmas gifts were the beautiful ornaments he hand crafted specifically with each one of us in mind.

Roger was able to travel to quite a few places around the world with his favorites being Alaska, DC, and a special trip to Germany (although that trip rocked his world a bit when he discovered that several of his ancestors came from the Alsace region and so he could be just as much French as he is German … Heilig scheiss! (or Sacré bleu!)

The family would like to thank Brighton Hospice and Nurse Linda, the Kirkland Crossing staff, Dr. Zenga (at Froedtert), all of his Pro Health caregivers most notably Dr. Peters, Dr. Francis, Dr. Kleman, Registered Dietitian Lindsay, his amazing Oncology Nurse Kylie and all of the incredible staff at the Pro Health-Pewaukee Oncology Dept. for the excellent and loving care of Roger. You helped him fight with grace and dignity until the end.

Roger lived a full and productive life with many diverse interests and a group of family and friends that he loved deeply. As he was fond of saying in retirement, “There are two kinds of people in this world, those who take a 3 o’clock nap and those who wish they could.” We wish all of you a 3 o’clock nap in his honor.

A Memorial for Roger’s life will be held at the Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Union Hall at 17125 West Cleveland Avenue, New Berlin, on Sunday, October 5, 2025 from 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM (sharing of memories at 1:00 PM). Food will be served. We will honor his memory with stories, prayers, and the Roger-isms that he so freely shared.

As a family, we ask that in place of flowers, online donations be given to ProHealth Cancer Services-Pewaukee (https://www.prohealthcare.org/ways-to-give/donate/give-online).