Stephan Young

Stephan Joseph "Steve" Young, age 87 of Oshkosh, passed away on January 28, 2025 surrounded by family at Bethel Home of Oshkosh. He was born on January 6, 1938, in Oshkosh to Stephan and Felicitas "Kempinger" Young.

Steve attended Sacred Heart Catholic School. He was an altar boy for many years. He began taking accordion lessons when he was ten years old. He always had an interest in playing in a band and he soon formed a band with his neighborhood friends. He attended Oshkosh High School graduating in 1956. He was a member of the Future Farmers of America. He had a great love for farming, however after high school he joined the U.S. Air Force. He was sent to Bavaria, Germany where he met and later married Viktoria "Doris" Schmoelz on May 31,1958 while stationed at Furstenfeldbruck Air Base.They were married at the base chapel that Doris's father helped build.

Steve joined the Oshkosh Chapter of Barbershoppers in 1965. He sang with the "Colonels of Korn" quartet and at that time he also organized his polka band. They played for many weddings and church picnics as well as clubs and taverns. Also, at that time, he played string bass with the "Art Smith Trio". Steve's band continued to play until late in 2017.

Steve was employed at Electrical Contractors Supply from 1965 until 1985. In late 1985 he began working for the Neenah Joint School District as a custodian at Clayton Elementary School until his retirement in 1998. During those years, he continued with his band and also formed the "Big Band" which played often at Bethel Home of Oshkosh. After his retirement he began a program called "Polkas, A Class Act". The band, along with dancers, presented one-hour programs in elementary schools throughout the Fox River Valley. Along with the Phy. Ed. teachers, they taught the kids how to polka. They performed at more than 50 schools in four years' time. Steve was awarded the Senior Achievement Award and was inducted into the Wisconsin Polka Hall of Fame for his efforts to keep polka music alive in Wisconsin.

Steve and his wife Doris returned many times to Bavaria, Germany over the years. Doris had a large relation and Steve had relatives to visit in Duesseldorf, Germany. On May 31, 2008 they renewed their wedding vows at the Base Chapel in Bavaria, Germany where they were first married, celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. Their three daughters and families were there to celebrate with them.

Afterwards, they spent one week in beautiful Garmisch, Germany where they first spent their honeymoon.

Steve was a member of St. Josaphat's Parish until they closed in 2007. He then returned to Sacred Heart Church which became St. Jude the Apostle Church. Steve sang with the mixed choir at St. Jude for several years.

Steve is survived by his three daughters: Cindy (Jon) Christensen of Oshkosh, Rebecca (Michael) Schroeder of Oshkosh and Angela (Jeffrey) Stolz of Fox Crossing; eight grandchildren: Kortney, Christian and Nicklaus Stolz, Jacob (Lily) Roberts, Jordan (Lexie) Paulson, Breanna (Isaac) Albern, Lisa (Jake) Frisch and Stacy Gutsmiedl; six great grandchildren: Josie, Jacob, Camden, Dominic, Olivia and Corbin; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Along with his parents, Steve was also preceded in death by his wife Viktoria "Doris" Young, his two sisters, Mary Kasper and Louise Roberts and his brother Bernard Young.

A mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, February 6, 2025 at Sacred Heart Church, 519 Knapp Street, Oshkosh. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:00 am until the hour of service. Burial and military honors will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery. The family would like to extend a very special "Thank You" to the staff at Bethel Home (Serenity Garden) and especially Alice Hodel and Kelly Buck for their compassion and care Steve received over the past 1 ½ years.