Stephen Meyer
Steve Meyer of Phelps—faithful husband, father, veteran, and creative spirit, passed peacefully on to Glory April 30, 2026, at Seasons of Life hospice in Woodruff, Wisconsin. He was 83 years old.
Born on July 6, 1942, in Two Rivers, Wisconsin, to Royal and Iloe (Guethlein) Meyer, Steve loved the outdoors from the start, hunting, fishing, and even convincing his parents to let him have the likes of a raccoon or red squirrel as pets. He graduated from Lincoln High School in Manitowoc in 1960 and headed to the University of Wisconsin, Madison, in the fall.
At college, Steve quickly realized a “business” major and the family inclination of working in insurance were not for him. Instead, he earned his bachelor’s degree in zoology (1965) and also took his first art class. “You got talent; you need to go back and get your art degree,” his boss Neal Long told him, while Steve was picking up work at the taxidermy shop. This encouragement and the inspiration of those first art classes led him to return to school at the University of Wisconsin, Superior, to pursue that art degree. Around that time, he felt the call of duty. In January of 1967, he put his schooling on hold and joined the U.S. Army. After serving 18 months in Vietnam, Steve returned to Superior, finishing his second degree in May of 1970.
In the fall of 1971, he met Linda Mutter of Phelps, and the two were married eleven weeks later. At this point, Steve got certified to teach art then accepted a job in Grantsburg, Wisconsin, where he began his 25-year career in education. Along with teaching, Steve continued his military career in the National Guard. In 1981 he applied for a four-year tour of active duty to serve in the ROTC department at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, as a professor of military science. Upon selection, he took a break from teaching and moved with his young family to the Last Frontier, where they enjoyed the northern lights in the winter and 24 hours of daylight in the summer. Steve especially enjoyed the opportunity to explore the Alaskan wilderness through a few special hunting and fishing trips for bear, caribou, king salmon, northern pike, greyling, and moose.
Upon his return to teaching, the family eventually moved to Silver Bay, Minnesota, where Steve retired after 15 years at William Kelley High School. Throughout his career, he was more than an instructor; he was a beloved mentor, guide, and friend to countless students and school personnel.
Always an avid outdoor enthusiast, Steve enjoyed the peace and wonder of God’s creation. He could now spend countless hours hunting fishing, bird watching, and identifying local flora and fauna. His appreciation for nature was evident in his painting, writing, woodcarving, and woodworking—his favorite, building small “natural” tables and benches.
A dedicated Christian, Steve's faith guided his actions throughout his life, as demonstrated through various international mission trips he and Linda embarked upon together, serving others and sharing their faith across the globe.
As a paratrooper and a Vietnam veteran, he displayed courage and leadership, ultimately retiring from the military as a Lieutenant Colonel.
Joyful, exceptionally talkative, and possessing a unique gift to connect with just about anyone, Steve lit up every room he entered. He was a lifelong learner who never lost his sense of wonder. He also had a gift for music and enjoyed playing piano and dabbling with the ukulele. Perhaps his most delightful musical quirk was his ability to whistle two pitches at once, often harmonizing his own cheerful tunes to the amazement and amusement of those around him.
Steve’s enduring legacy of love, faith, and creativity lives on in the family he cherished so deeply. He is survived by his loving wife, Linda; his four children, Shari, Mike, Neal (Nikki), and Carl (Kate); his seven grandchildren: Micah, Malie, Matthias, Moses, Merek, Logan, and Theo; and his sister Jeanne Meyer.
Above all else, Steve loved his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As a Gideon, He loved giving out God’s Word. He never left home without a few Bibles in his pockets to share with whomever he met—fishermen, store clerks, veterans, medical personnel, et cetera.
A teacher, a soldier, an artist, and a friend, Steve Meyer leaves behind a world made brighter by his art, his service, his whistling, and his love for others. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.
There will be a memorial service for Steve at the Iron River Bible Church, Iron River, Michigan, on June 6, 2026—visitation 10:00-11:00 a.m., service at 11:00 a.m., with a lunch to follow. Donations can be made to Gideons International.
Arrangements by Gaffney-Busha Funeral Home, Eagle River. Online condolences may be expressed at gaffney-busha.com
