February 26, 1941 — July 23, 2025
Steve was born into a family of educators: grandfather, Chemistry at UW-River Falls; father, Geology at UW-Oshkosh; mother, english teacher; younger sister, english teacher. So, it was not surprising that he became a teacher. Not only was he an American History and Business History teacher at UW-Whitewater, but he was also an administrator in the UW System and at UW-Whitewater. In addition, Steve was a teacher outside of his profession. His love of learning was evident as he studied multiple newspapers and professional journals each day, read every genre of nonfiction books, watched educational channels on TV (plus Magnolia Network’s Maine Cabin Builders and sports), and passed on articles from the newspaper that he thought others would enjoy.
Steve was also an author. His publication in 2000 of The Keepers of the Lights: Lighthouse Keepers; Their Families, Door County, Wisconsin 1837-1939 was the result of years of research into lighthouse keepers’ journals, interviews of relatives of lighthouse keepers, searches of cemeteries, and reading of old newspapers. Steve was a public servant, having served on the City of Janesville Planning Commission, Friends of the Janesville Public Library, School District of Janesville School Board, and the Janesville Area Special Olympics Management Team. And he was a leader and active contributor on many committees and in many groups at Cargill United Methodist Church.
Steve loved being with people: learning from them, caring for them, laughing with them, and sharing stories with them. He was a proud 57 year season ticket holder to UW football games. His favorite getaway was to Door County.
While completing his dissertation at UW-Madison, Steve met M. Lynn Guentzel, a fellow graduate student. A blind date turned into a romance that lasted 56 years. Their daughter, Kimberly Ann, was another of his gifts to the world. In addition to his wife and daughter, Steve is survived by his sister, Kathryn Ann Karges Daley (Mike); cousin, Dave Chinnock (Barb); and a multitude of friends.
A memorial service will be held at CARGILL METHODIST CHURCH on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at 11 a.m. SCHNEIDER FUNERAL DIRECTORS in Janesville, Wis. is assisting the family. The service will be live-streamed, linked to the Schneider Funeral Directors website. For online condolences and guestbook, please visit: http://www.schneiderfuneraldirectors.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Karges Family Psychiatric Scholarship, c/o University of Wisconsin Foundation, U.S. Bank Lockbox 78807, Milwaukee, WI 53278-0807; to the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Foundation, 625 Pearl Avenue, Oshkosh, WI 54901 with a notation for the Burton E. Karges Scholarship; or to a charity of your choice.
SSM clinics and hospitals in Janesville and Madison, Wis. truly embodied their mission of “Compassion: revealing the healing presence of God through compassionate care focused on the fullness of the person.” A heartfelt thank you goes out to everyone at SSM/Dean from Steve and his family.
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