Stephen R. Prenger

Stephen "Steve" R. Prenger, 83, Suamico, died Wednesday evening, May 18, 2022, at St. Mary's Hospital in Green Bay. The oldest of three children of Ralph and Esther Prenger was born April 10, 1939, in Jefferson City, Mo. He grew up in Jefferson City where he attended Helias High School, following high school graduation Steve received his BA Degree from Rockhurst College in Kansas City, Mo. He then attended Missouri University Graduate School in Law and History. Steve worked as an R & D Procurement Officer in the U. S. Air Force and was assigned to the Aerospace Medical Division, Brooks AFB, Texas from 1963 until 1967. He also served for a short time in 1965, as Vice Commander of the Saigon Area Procurement Office, RVN. On June 19, 1965, he married Claudette Tait at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Oconto Falls. Following their marriage, the couple lived in Dallas, Texas where Steve was employed in procurement and management with a number of employers including ITT, LTV, Boening Aircraft and McCormack & Dodge. At the end of his career, he was a consultant to Northrop (2 Divisions) and Rockwell for Anderson Consulting. In 1987, Steve's work was interrupted by a disabling stroke, caused by exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam and was declared totally disabled by the V. A. He devoted the rest of his life to working with the disabled and the independent living movement. The couple moved back to Wisconsin in 2015. Survivors are his wife of 57 years, Claudette Prenger, Suamico; one brother, Thomas (Sallye) Prenger, Spokane, Wash.; one sister, Marilyn (Han) Keeven, Jefferson City, Mo.; two sisters-in-law, Mary Miller, Green Bay and Barbara Tait, Sheboygan; one brother-in-law, Thomas (Jane) Tait Jr., Rhinelander; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister-in-law, Jeanne O'Harrow-Sowle; and one brother-in-law, John Tait. Private family services will take place at Jones Funeral Service in Oconto Falls. Burial will follow in St. Anthony Cemetery, Oconto Falls.