Stephan “Steve” Asher, 68 years of Sturgeon Bay, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, at Door County Medical Center after a lengthy illness.
He was born May 4, 1954, in Sturgeon Bay, the son of the late Charles and Hilda (Roen) Asher.
Steve is survived by his wife, Rachel; his brothers, Dr. Charles (Susan) Asher of Santa Rosa, CA, John (Sandy) Asher of Sturgeon Bay; sister-in-law, Carol Kuehl of Eau Claire, WI; brother-in-law, Dan (Tammy) Kuehl of Lake Mills, WI; and several nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his goddaughter, Natalie Porter and his “brother” Spencer Milligan.
He is preceded by his parents; sister, Susie Asher; and brother-in-law, Tom Kuehl.
Steve graduated from Pompano Beach High School in Florida in 1972. He also attended two years of high school in Sturgeon Bay and one year in Hillsdale, New Jersey. Following high school, Steve performed for three years in Up With People, an organization that promotes multiculturalism and racial equality through song and dance. He traveled with the group throughout Europe, Great Britain, Mexico, and the United States. Those three years never left Steve’s heart as he continued to live its message. Steve was also educated with classes at the University of Arizona during those years.
Before returning to Sturgeon Bay in 1980, Steve worked and lived with his brother Charles in Westwood, CA and then worked in medical sales in Atlanta, GA. After his return to Sturgeon Bay, Steve joined the family business of developing and managing Strawberry Creek Estates. He enjoyed his time in the Optimist Club and served on the Door County Memorial Hospital Foundation board.
On August 23, 1986, Steve and Rachel J. Kuehl were married at his parents’ home on the Bay Shore in Sturgeon Bay. For the next few years, they operated the Door County Racquet Club where Steve could show off his cooking talents. Steve and Rachel were very fortunate to have opportunities to travel. During their first 10 years of marriage, they visited the Cayman Islands, Colombia, South American, Mexico, Australia, Thailand, Singapore, and Hong Kong.
After leaving the family business in 2000, Steve worked in sales for Prime Lending in Sturgeon Bay and for Marchant’s Meats in Sturgeon Bay.
To say that Steve adored his four-legged family is an understatement. Yorgi the Corgi, was the first to arrive followed by rescue dogs Walker, Morrie, Brontë, Buddy B and LucyLu.
In addition to singing and cooking, Steve enjoyed golfing, walking, watching sports and cooking shows on TV and going to his beloved Packers games.
During the last two years of Steve’s life, he was extremely thankful for the support of friends Dan, Frank, Paul, Rick, Deb and Paul, Carrie and Arleigh, and Sherry and Jim. He was also thankful to Mary N. and Mary Lou for their comfort food.
A special thank you goes out to Dr. Paul Maes and to the Radiology Department at Door County Medical Center.
Steve was a humble man with a generous spirit. He shared his blessings whenever possible, many times with people he barely knew.
Visitation for family and friends will be at Huehns Funeral Home on Saturday, April 1, 2023, from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.
Funeral services will begin at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, April 1, 2023 at Huehns Funeral Home with John Hauser officiating. Burial will be with his family at Bayside Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Wisconsin Humane Society Door County Campus, Feed My People or Unity Hospice.
Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Steve may be shared with his family through his tribute page at www.huehnsfuneralhome.com.
