Stephen P. Vande Hei 74, De Pere, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday evening March 7, 2023. He was born March 13, 1948, to the late George and Doreen (McCabe) Vande Hei.

After graduating from West De Pere High School, Steve served his country in the U.S. Army Reserve.

On May 23, 1970, he was united in marriage with Linda Hockers.

Steve enjoyed his work as a Foreman in the Lift Truck Shop at Georgia Pacific, where he retired in 2011. He made lifelong friends there, where he was affectionately known as "Squiggy".

An avid woodworker and natural tinkerer, Steve shared his woodworking gift by making beautifully-crafted gifts for his wife and daughters, bug barns, toys, and keepsakes for his two grandsons, and adaptive devices for his visually impaired daughter and her visually impaired students. Through the years, he was a huge motorcycle enthusiast and owned several different bikes that he would take out on many adventures (that usually ended at Dairy Queen, if his daughters were along for the ride).

He also had a soft spot for animals that, as his grandsons would say, were the "ugly ones", (like opossums). He kept the birdfeeders full and put corn out for "his bunnies" that visited nightly. Steve regularly rescued animals that he and his family would nurse back to health, from caterpillars to bunnies, birds, and even ducklings.

As a proud husband, father, and papa, he was always there for his family, without fail. Steve said he got the son he never had when his daughter, Renee, married Brandon. Their shared interests and skills gave Steve so much joy. He truly cherished time with his grandsons; making "projects" together, catching bugs together, shooting Nerf rockets into trees (hoping to get them stuck), going for walks, pushing them on swings at the park, or teaching them the art of hickory nut picking, to name a few. It's impossible to convey the love Steve had for his family, and how much they loved him, in this writing. His grandsons could write "millions" more things that will be missed with Papa being gone. His personality, humor, talents, and love will forever be missed. This is just a small glimpse into a life well lived.

He is survived by his wife, Linda, their daughters, Erin (boyfriend Dustin) Vande Hei, Renee (Brandon) Roffers, and his two beautiful and beloved grandsons, Cameron and Caysen.

He is further survived by siblings Eleanor (Tom) DeGroot, Joan Calmes, Helen (Ron) Hietpas, Mary Haupt, Mel (Blanca) Vande Hei, and Elaine (Fred) DeGroot and his in-laws Lee (Cindy) Hockers, Tim (Barb) Hockers, Dave (Jane) Hockers, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Last, but certainly not least, Steve is survived by his grand-cats Meeka, Chase, and Zoey, grand-dog Lily, numerous grand-fish, and a grand-gecko Boo (as they all had a special place in his heart).

Steve was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters, Bonnie Vande Hei, and Lois Vande Hei, brother-in-law Jim Calmes, and in-laws, Don and Grace Hockers.

Friends may visit at Ryan Funeral Home 305 N. Tenth Street, De Pere from 3:00PM on Monday, March 13th, until time of service at 6:00PM. In lieu of flowers and plants, memorials may be given to St. Jude Children's Hospital in memory of Steve.

"Papa can fix anything." 💙