Tom Steidinger

Thomas Steidinger passed away on Tuesday, May 7, 2013 at Northwestern Memorial Hospital following a brief illness. Tom lived a full life during his short time on this earth. He will be remembered as a man who truly loved his family that showed in his generosity, the way he took care of others, and the lessons he taught his nephews about "responsibility and consequences." Tom was independent, adventurous and you always knew when he was in the room by his hearty laughter. He also loved to explore and travel, calling himself "the world's hardest working tour guide."
Tom was born January 2, 1957 in Wausau to Gene and Betty (Buttke) Steidinger Sr. of the town of Stettin. Raised on the family farm, Tom was involved in 4H and enjoyed showing cows at the county fair. He was a 1975 graduate of Marathon High School, attended UWMC and graduated in 1979 with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He began his insurance career with Wausau Insurance and later moved to Chicago working as an insurance underwriter for the Axis Company. Even though Tom lived in Chicago, in his heart he never left the farm. Tom enjoyed spending time at his lake home in Lake Geneva, bicycling, walking in the woods, family vacations in the Wisconsin Dells and was a devout Badger fan.
Tom found someone to share his life with when he met the love of his life, Michele Moore. They were true soul mates and Tom was so excited about their upcoming wedding on July 6th.
Tom is survived by his parents, Gene and Betty of the town of Stettin, fiancé, Michele Moore of Chicago, two brothers, Gene Steidinger Jr. of Dubuque, IA, Brian Steidinger of the town of Stettin, twin sisters, Sandy (Randy) Schmidt of Birnamwood, Cindy (Doug) Breyer of Birnamwood, niece, Linda Breyer, nephew and godson, Dillon Breyer, nephews, Derek Breyer, Jeremy (Trisha) Schmidt, Cody Schmidt and extended family and friends.
Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m., Monday, May 13, 2013 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1008 N. 120th Ave., Wausau. Reverend Phillip Bogen will officiate. Private burial will be in Stettin Christian Cemetery. Visitation will be at the church on Monday from 11:00 a.m. until the time of services. You may sign our family guest book at helke.com.
Memorials may be directed to the: Thomas Steidinger Scholarship Fund, Attention: Richard Parks-Superintendent, Marathon High School, 204 East Street, Marathon, WI 54448-0037 or Northwestern Memorial Hospital Foundation, Lung Disease Treatment, 251 E. Huron St., Galter Pavilion 3-200, Chicago, Ill. 60611, http://foundation.nmh.org/thomassteidinger or Trinity Lutheran Church, 1008 n. 120th Ave., Wausau, WI 54401.