Germaine Stephan

Our mother, Germaine, passed away peacefully on July 26, 2023, at the age of 94. She was the beloved wife of our father, the late Norbert Stephan, and mother to the three of us, Mary (friend, David Lussier), John, and Paul (Buffy). Germaine was a proud grandma to Melinda (Bonnie) Rae and Joshua (Kayla) Stephan and great grandmother to Elliot and Wilder Rae and Beckham and Rowynn Stephan. She is also survived by wonderful and caring nieces, nephews, and friends. She led a long and full life that began November 23, 1928, on a farm in Antigo, Wisconsin. Her parents were John P. and Mary (nee Husnick) Schroepfer; Germaine was the youngest of their five children. Her teaching career started at the two-room schoolhouse, Star Neva State Graded and First Ward, in Antigo. After moving to Milwaukee with our father in 1952, she taught at Browning School in Milwaukee Public Schools. She was a substitute teacher for many years at St. Agnes in Butler. Our mother loved to read, always wanting to learn new things. She loved being surrounded by nature and enjoyed, most especially, birds and butterflies. Her love of nature also had her working side by side with Norbert in their large vegetable garden and she took great pride in what they grew. She enjoyed going to concerts and gigs as our father had a local dance band. Polkas, waltzes, and big band music were her favorites. She also loved going to parades, watching and listening to the marching bands. A very kind and caring person, Germaine had a good sense of humor and was always thinking of others. She was involved in the Waukesha Musicians Union with Norbert, was captain of the Wauwatosa Block Watch for years in her Ruby Lawns neighborhood, worked at the voting polls, and helped with the Cardinal Cadets Marching Band during the 70s. Attending her grandchildren's concerts and sports activities was very important to her. We want to thank the staff at Heritage Elm Grove Senior Living and Brighton Hospice for the care and respect they showed to our mother. We'd also like to thank the Arboretum in Menomonee Falls for the wonderful care they provided during her four years of living there. A funeral mass will be held August 10, 2023 at St. Margaret Mary Parish, 3970 N. 92nd St., Milwaukee. Visitation from 10:00 to 11:30. Mass at 12:00. Entombment at Pinelawn Memorial Park following the mass. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Germaine's name may be made to: Bridges Library System-write "Library Memory Project" in memo, 741 N. Grand Ave., #210, Waukesha, WI 53186 (www.librarymemoryproject.org/contribute), or to the charity of your choice. A recording of the services will be available on Schramka Funeral Home's Youtube Channel, a link is below: Germaine Stephan Service Video