Stephen Arnold Auer, 81, passed away on Sunday, March 9, 2025, at Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, after a short illness.
Steve, known as Arnold to his siblings, nieces, and nephews, was born in New York and moved to Wisconsin in his early twenties. He loved music and sports, yet most of all, family. He was the fun uncle who was always there whether it was helping someone through a problem or just hanging out doing silly things. He was the brother who lent an ear or helping hand when needed and the son who took care of his mother Anna for a while after his father Charles’ death.
He is survived by his loving wife Cindy, whom he married in 1991, a true testament to the fact love can happen at any time in life. They met at Elmbrook Memorial Hospital where they both worked, falling in love while eating cafeteria meals together. Her family quickly became his and it was clear he loved them as much as everyone else. In addition to watching sports and attending sporting events especially the Brewers, they had so many opportunities to travel the world with cruises being one of their favorites.
He also dressed as a realistic Santa for many years, bringing joy to little ones who came for pictures and gifts. It was especially nice they could pull on a beard to make sure he was for real. Although Steve never had children of his own, his role as uncle had a positive influence on his multiple generations of nieces and nephews who talk about him fondly.
Although Steve held many jobs throughout the years, the two he talked about most was his job as a janitor for the City of Milwaukee School System and of course Elmbrook Memorial Hospital where he retired.
Steve was preceded in death by his in-laws Robert, Eileen and Eric Redmann, his brothers Roland (Mary), Charles, Michael (Marie), his sisters Margaret (Raymond) Stawicki, Veronica (Charles) Meech and Anita (Billy) Coolehan, his nephews Stephan and James Stawicki, and his niece Nicole Auer.
He is survived by his brother Peter Auer, brother-in-law Paul Redmann, and the following nieces and nephews: Roland (Jo-Ann) Auer, Barbara Jean Auer, Raymond Stawicki, Richard (Aliceann) Stawicki, Peggy (Bob) McChesney, Susan (Bill) Gallagher, Kris Stawicki, Jerry (Lisa) Stawicki, Charles Stawicki, James Auer, Joseph (Laura) Auer, Michael (Diane) Auer, Anna (Jimmy) Lockhart, Charles Auer, Luella Pinkney, Tyler Redmann, and Karli Redmann. In addition, he also leaves behind nineteen great and many great-great nieces and nephews.
Visitation at Krause Funeral Home, 21600 West Capitol Drive, Brookfield, Wisconsin on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 from 10:00 AM – 11:45 AM. Funeral service at 12:00 PM. Burial at Arlington Cemetery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
In honor of Steve’s love of sports, Cindi asks visitors to please wear their favorite sports shirt or sweatshirt to his celebration of life.
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