Steven Tjader

Steven “Pete” William Tjader, 62, passed away Saturday, December 29, 2012, in his home, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born January 25, 1950, in Siren, to William and Elaine (Kosloski) Tjader. Pete graduated from Siren High School in 1968. He enlisted in the Army in 1968, serving in Korea for 13 months and was honorably discharged in 1970. He married Bonnie Brussat on September 7, 1974. They made their home in Eau Claire where they raised their two children, Jonathan and Amanda. In 2005 Pete and Bonnie moved to Siren. Pete retired in 2006, after working many years as an operating engineer for several utility companies. Pete was a member of the Operating Engineers, Local 139 and the Lund-Brown American Legion Post 132. Pete enjoyed being outdoors, especially gardening, fishing, hunting, and feeding the birds. He loved attending Jonathan and Amanda's soccer, baseball, basketball and softball games. Recently he spent many hours in the bleachers following the Dragon football and basketball teams. He was an avid Packer and Brewer fan. His granddaughters, Lara and Ayla meant the world to him and he loved having them stay at the "cabin". Pete enjoyed taking them to the beach, berry picking, ATVing, fishing, flying kites, hunting for Monarch caterpillars, sneaking candy, and taking them along on trips. Pete had a passion for traveling and would spend months planning their trips to include seeing family, friends, historic sites, battle reenactments, and pyrotechnic displays. Pete loved fireworks and was known to "salute" neighbors and golfers alike. He enjoyed his "coffee buds" where he spent mornings identifying and solving world problems. Pete was preceded in death by his parents, William and Elaine Tjader. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Bonnie; children, Jonathan and Amanda (Henery); grandchildren, Lara and Ayla Bluemel; brothers, Mike (Carleen), Tim (Donna), Dennis (Bonnie) and Paul (Val); along with many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. A memorial service for Pete will be held on Thursday, January 3, 2013 at 11:00 AM (visitation 10-11 AM) at Bethany Lutheran Church in Siren with Pastor Paul Peterson officiating. A visitation will be on Wednesday, January 2, 2013 from 4:00-7:00PM at Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Siren Chapel. Online condolences can be made at www.swedberg-taylor.com. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home.