Steve Vogel
This is not an AI generated obituary but one straight from the heart. So, sit back, relax, pour yourself a short Dr Pepper and Captain Morgan to read about one of the most amazing men we ever knew.
On February 17, 1948, Steve Vogel was born to Emroy and Nellie (Rouse) Vogel. On May 26, 2026, he reunited in heaven with four courageous women who once shared their lives and hearts with him. Knowing him, they were probably ready to send him right back through those pearly gates — but somehow, heaven decided to keep him.
My siblings and I will say with Steve's big heart and his willingness to try and create a father figure example, he courageously opened his home to take in children who could not live with their parents. He became a second and to some of us a first dad. Who knew that the man with the dark hair and the white streak (yes like a skunk streak) would help make us River Street kids become a family.
Many times, he would show us his talent that he could roll his tongue and was always curious about if you could do it too. Yeah, I know those of you who cannot are trying to do it right now. Steve also had the best posture and could prove this by dancing with a beer on his head.
He was a rebel and actually a law breaker! For some of us who were not allowed to cross state lines we were promptly driven to Bond Falls after a trying court date. His choice of drink was Dr Pepper and Captain Morgan (are you enjoying yours)? We had an old 8-track in the family van, and the music would be playing. We even advanced to an 8-track converter that could play cassettes. Music was always being listened to during family travels.
He had a wicked sense of humor. One Halloween he let one of our brothers have a running chain saw as Leatherface. Good thing he was a proactive parent and removed the chain!
We lived on the river, and he would do tourist boat tours. Spoiler alert to those Eagle River tourists some of the tour was true information and some was fabricated but it was always a fun time.
As he got older, that dark hair turned snowy white and he was a great Santa Claus. He showed us that you didn’t need to be blood to be family. He loved us all unconditionally and loved it when he had a chance to visit or got updates on his kids.
In his passing the lessons he taught us have again brought us together as family. The River Street kids are honored to take care of you now when you needed us most. You will be forever loved and forever missed.
Steve will be forever missed by his surviving sisters, Carol Smart, Betty Price and Sister-in- Law Sue Vogel. Also surviving is his brother, Hank Vogel; along with nieces and nephews.
He will also be missed by Chuck McDonald and those who fondly knew him as “Reno”
His beloved River Street kids: Tina and Thomas Schmidt (three grandchildren, Timothy (Jenn) Schmidt, Tad (Sarah) Schmidt, and William Schmidt; and three great-grandchildren, Deanna Ranheim (two grandchildren)Brennan Ranheim and Katelyn Ranheim; Rick Osterholm, Dave and Jen Shauger (two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren) Shawn Will and Toni (three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren), Norman Sandow and Nikki, Wendy and Dan Tetzlaff (two grandpups) and Wendy and Eddy Smith (two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren).
A celebration of life is planned for Saturday, June 27th at noon at Riverside Park pavilion in Eagle River. Please come have a bite to eat and share your memories of Steve with friends and family.
