STEPHEN VIRNICH

Stephen G. Virnich was called home to be with our Lord on January 1, 2017. Born on February 24, 1958 in Illinois, Steve loved to travel and spent the majority of his career raising money for charitable events in small towns throughout the Midwest and southern states. He made friends everywhere he went and relished the uniqueness of each individual's personality. Steve was a master story-teller with an enormous ability to make people laugh as he re-created episodes from his travels.

Having spent summers in northern Wisconsin as a youth, Steve developed a deep interest in nature – especially the daddy long-legs species. He loved fishing too. For Steve, nothing could beat a day on the water followed by a delicious fish fry.

Steve took great pride in helping to raise and positively influence a young boy named George. He felt honored to call George his son and to see George's own family blossom.

Steve also grew to enjoy politics and was proud to be a staunch conservative. He always did his best to enlighten others in what he believed and the positions he held, most notably those based on Christian values.

In his later years, Steve met the love of his life and his best friend, Kathryn Barrett. They shared a very special bond rooted in Christian love and support for each other.

Stephen was preceded in death by his parents, George and Wilma Virnich. He is survived by his brother Andrew (Rebecca) Virnich, nieces Elizabeth, Catherine and Margaret Virnich, aunt Emily Martens, cousin Gregory (Donna) Martens, son George Virnich, grandchildren Heather Allard, and Mercedes, Austin, Savanna, Neveah and Levi Virnich, and four great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, January 6, 2017 at Faith Lutheran Church in Appleton, WI at 12:00pm. Visitation will begin at 11:00am. A graveside burial service will be held at the Evergreen Cemetery in Stone Lake, WI at 12:00pm on Saturday, January 7, 2017.