Steven Edward “Steve” Zuelsdorf

June 20, 1955 - April 13, 2024

Steven Edward “Steve” Zuelsdorf of Belgium, age 68, passed away on Saturday, April 13, 2024, at Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center after waiting five years for a heart transplant that was not to be and a long struggle with heart failure.

He was born on June 20, 1955, the first-born child of Annabelle and Melvin Zuelsdorf.  

Steve attended St. Mary’s Catholic School in Lake Church and graduated from Cedar Grove-Belgium High School with the Class of 1973. 

He was employed by Johnson Brass & Machine in Saukville for 42 years before retiring in 2015 due to his health issues. Steve also was a bartender for many years at the Belgium Community Center.

Steve lived his entire life in the Village of Belgium and took great joy in giving back to his community. He was very active in CYO baseball leagues in Belgium and coached youth baseball teams for many years. 

As president of the Belgium Jaycees in 1983, Steve was the driving force behind the development of Belgium Community Park.

In conjunction with the Jaycees and the Belgium Community Club, Steve delivered fruit baskets to the elderly at Christmastime for 35 years along with his dear friend Kevin Peiffer. Steve was a generous supporter of anything that would improve his community. 

He was also passionate about rockhounding on the shores of Lake Michigan.

Steve made friends easily due to his gregarious, fun-loving and affable nature. He treasured and dearly loved all his friends and in the last year of his life made a point of telling his multitude of friends that he loved them. Steve was affectionately known to his friends as “Kahuna.”

On March 6, 2011, Steve met the woman he’d been looking for all of his life, Monica Smith, and on Sept. 1, 2013, they were married. They enjoyed a wonderful life together and a great devotion to each other. 

In retirement, they had great times traveling to Ireland, Hawaii, New England and Cape Cod, Washington, D.C., Florida, Cooperstown, N.Y., and many other popular destinations. Their “happy place” was spending winters at their condo in Mesa, Ariz.

Steve is survived by his wife Monica, his beloved golden retriever Teddy, his sister Kris (Larry) Simmelink and brothers Daniel (Kolleen) Zuelsdorf and Patrick (Kim) Zuelsdorf. In addition, he is survived by many nephews and his niece. Steve’s nephew Brett Simmelink was his kindred spirit and “little Kahuna.”  Steve had one special friend, Jeff (Lori) Gruell, who he loved so much he adopted him as his brother.

Steve was predeceased by his parents and his brother Doug Zuelsdorf.

Steve’s final act of generosity was to donate his cornea tissue to give two people the gift of sight.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, from 2 to 5 p.m. at Eernisse Funeral Home, 171 N. Royal Ave., Belgium, Wis., followed by a celebration of life at 5:30 p.m. at 5 Pillars Supper Club, Random Lake, Wis.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund will be established in Steve’s name for the Belgium Fire and Rescue and the Bells of St. Mary’s fund.

Steve’s wife and family would like to thank the St. Luke’s Heart Failure and Transplant Team for their exceptional, compassionate care of Steve, especially his RN for almost six years, Chad Hockers, Dr. Ghafoor and Dr. Sulamangee, who always went above and beyond to help Steve, the LVAD engineers’ team, the staff of the ninth floor cardiac unit and the seventh floor CVICU nursing staff.

Thank you to the Belgium Fire Department Rescue Squad and Fredonia Ambulance and to the legions of friends who helped Steve and his wife throughout the difficult times. Special thanks to Scott and Rocky Krizek, Debbie Schmidt and Chris Schmidt, Pat Wester, Cindy Large and Tammy Sue Peiffer.

Eernisse Funeral Home of Belgium is assisting the family with arrangements.

Online condolences may be left at www.eernissefuneralhome.com.