Stephen Joseph Kohl

POYNETTE –  Stephen Joseph Kohl passed away on Thursday, May 10, 2012, at University Hospital in Madison, with his wife of almost 45 years at his side.  He was 69.

He was born August 20, 1942, in Ashland, WI, to Anne (Klucarich) and Joseph Kohl.  He graduated from DePadua High School in Ashland in 1960, and played trombone in the school band.  He graduated from Ashland County Teacher’s College in 1962, and taught for three years in the Wauwatosa parochial school system.  He met his wife, Linda (nee Muggli) on a blind date in 1965, while attending the University of Wisconsin, Superior, to earn his BA degree.  He graduated in August 1967, with a double major in Elementary Education and Art, and just weeks later married Linda on August 12, 1967 in Minneapolis, her home town.

They spent their first married year in Ashland, where Stephen taught 4th grade and was principal at Grandview Elementary School.  They moved to Madison a year later, but quickly settled in Lodi, WI, where Stephen taught 6th grade from 1968-1970. They traveled to Europe in August 1970, spending more than two months visiting 8 countries.  On their return, Stephen taught for the remainder of the school year in Randolph, WI.  In 1971, he joined the Sun Prairie school system, where he was to teach 6th grade Social Studies and Language Arts for 32 years, first in the old elementary school “on the hill”, then Royal Oaks, and finally, Prairie View Middle School.  He retired from teaching in 2001.

In 1971, while still teaching, Stephen joined Jeff Smith as a partner in the renovation and operation of the Jamieson House restaurant in Poynette, WI.  He was the wine steward and head waiter.  In 1972, Stephen and Linda bought the old Hampton School east of Leeds, removed all the bricks and salvaged some of the original lumber and rebuilt it on the Jamieson House property as their first home.

Their son Eric was born March 2, 1973, and in December of that year, Stephen and Linda purchased an 1897 Queen Anne Victorian house in Poynette, and took great pleasure and pride in restoring and maintaining it.

Stephen was an advocate for fairness and citizens’ rights, serving as both a trustee and Poynette village president in the 1980’s. He continued to attend board meetings and speak to issues until his health declined.  He had a life-long love affair with cars, from his first, a Studebaker Hawk, to buying and selling 1960’s Corvettes, 70’s muscle cars, Pontiac TransAms, Firehawks, and finally, early Chevy Suburbans.  He was co-owner of Country Auto Mart in Poynette for many years.  He enjoyed collecting and wearing vintage Hawaiian shirts, and was an avid reader of non-fiction.

Stephen was an exceptional teacher, a true friend, a caring brother, and a loving husband and father.  He treated everyone with dignity.  He will be remembered for his strength and positive outlook on life, especially during his 8-year battle with cancer.

Survivors include his wife Linda, of Poynette;  his son Eric (Meagan) of DeForest;  sisters Janet Kohl, Barbara Teague, and Joanne (Glenn) Hurlburt, all of Ashland, WI, and Rosemary (Michael) Kohl, Alameda, CA;  brothers Errol (Linda) Kohl of Wichita, KS, and Robert (Valerie) Kohl, Ashland.  He was preceded in death by his parents.

The family would like to thank the staff at the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center for their care through the years, especially Dr. Walter Longo;  nurses, Dawn, Beth, and Jeanne;  Barb in the lab;  and Judy in scheduling.

Memorials in Stephen’s name may be made to the Poynette Public Library.

There will be no service.  Family and friends are invited to a gathering at the family home to celebrate his life on Saturday, June 16, 2012 from 4 – 6 p.m.