James Louis Steenport, age 90, of Phelps, WI died November 9, 2024, at Milestone Senior Living in Eagle River, WI.
He was born in Chilton, WI on January 26, 1934, to Kermit and Madeline (DeKarsky) Steenport.
Jim graduated from Chilton High School in 1953 and Dunwoody Institute (Sheet Metal) in Minneapolis, MN two years later. He married Audrey Jochman in 1955 but divorced in 1985.
Jim owned and operated Steenport Heating & AC, Chilton, WI for 39 years. He was one of the founding members of the Chilton JC’s. On September 5, 1987, he married Nancy (Muenster) Meyer.
Upon retirement in 1995, Jim built his home on Kentuck Lake, Vilas County, WI in the heart of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. In 1997 he and Nancy moved from New Holstein to Kentuck Lake.
Jim was an active member of Our Savior Lutheran Church and Easy Eagles of Eagle River. Until 2016 he and Nancy were also First Responders with both Town of Phelps EMS and Town of Hiles Fire Station North.
Jim is survived by his wife, Nancy; children, Jamie Steenport, John (Sybilla) Steenport and Amy (Steve) Wenger; stepchildren, Eric Meyer, Christian (Jenn Tack) Meyer and Russell (Annalisa) Meyer; 12 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; brothers, Steve (Joy) Steenport and Jerry (Donna) Steenport; sister, Betty Zahn.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Kermit and Madeline; first wife, Audrey; sisters, Diane and Doris.
A funeral service will be at 11a.m. on Wednesday Nov. 20, 2024, at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Eagle River. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Our Savior Lutheran Church, Northwoods Animal Shelter, 930 Seldon Rd, Iron River, MI 49935, or a charity of your choice.
The family is grateful for the compassionate care that Jim received from both the Milestone Senior Living staff and Compassus Hospice team the past two years.
Arrangements by Gaffney-Busha Funeral Home, Eagle River. Online condolences may be expressed at gaffney-busha.com
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