Noel Stemper

Former Port Washington resident Noel J. Stemper, 83, died of mesothelioma Sunday, Dec. 23, at Lawlis Family Hospice in Mequon.

Mr. Stemper was born in Fredonia on Aug. 5, 1935, to Lester and Mildred Noster Stemper. After graduating from Port Washington High School, he began working in construction.

He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1958 and served in Germany. Upon his return to the states he continued working in construction.  

On July 9, 1960, he married Nancy Retzer of Port Washington. The couple lived on the north side of Port and were members of St. Peter of Alcantara Catholic Church.  

Mr. Stemper worked at the Wisconsin Electric power plant in Port and retired in 1997 after 32 years with the utility.

In 2004, Mr. Stemper moved to Hartford.

His family said he loved fishing, hunting and building things with wood.

Mr. Stemper is survived by his daughter Carol (Darren) Zastrow of Milwaukee; granddaughters Joan, Jessica and Jennifer Zastrow; one great-granddaughter; and brother Carl (Marion) of Tomahawk.

He was preceded in death by an infant son, wife Nancy, daughter Mary, brother-in-law James Retzer and sister-in-law Esther Retzer.

A Mass of Christian burial was held Thursday, Dec. 27, at St. Peter Catholic Church in Slinger. Father Rick Stoffel was the celebrant.  

Interment was in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Port Washington.  

Poole Funeral Home, Port Washington, handled the arrangements.