Leonard (Skip) Stein

Leonard Anthony Stein, affectionately known all of his life as “Skip Stein” died on July 19, 2003.
Skip was born on November 19, 1926, in Chicago, Illinois. He was the son of Anthony Leonard Stein and Hazel Braatz Stein. Skip and his parents moved to Ripon when he was a young boy. Skip left Ripon High School at the age of 17 to join the U.S. Navy in 1944. He served in the U.S. Navy as a Pharmacist First Mate. He was assigned to the USS Juneau which was commissioned on February 19, 1946. Upon an honorary discharge from the U.S. Navy, Skip returned to Ripon and Ripon High School graduating in June of 1948. Following his high school graduation, Skip entered into an Apprenticeship as a mason, learning the skills of stone and bricklaying from his father. Throughout the City of Ripon, his craftsmanship is evident in many homes, community schools and the First Congregational Church.
Skip was a lifelong member of the First Congregational Church, serving the church as a member of the Board of Trustees as well as being the Maintenance officer for many years. Skip Stein is a past member of the Ripon Rotary, Ripon Jaycees, and volunteered as a Boy Scout Leader with Pack 35, for several years, sharing the scouting experience with his son, John. Skip’s talents in woodworking are evident at the First Congregational Church, as well as being enjoyed by his children and grandchildren through his furniture restoration projects, creation of doll houses, and wooden toys made lovingly for his grandchildren. Skip shared the love of gardening and flowers with his wife Nancy. Their Rose garden was a pleasure to all each summer.
Skip married Nancy Nash on February 8, 1957. They raised five children; Martha “Becky” (Gerald) Prellwitz, Nan Lindstrom, Julie (Lyle) Mathias, John Stein, and Carrie (Dennis) Bartik. Skip and Nancy enjoyed many years of worldwide travel and wonderful adventures. They were dedicated to each other and their family. Skip is further survived by nine grandchildren; Heidi (Thomas) Merkes, Robert (Amy) Prellwitz, Rebecca Prellwitz, Stuart and Daniel Berger, Andrew and Christopher Stein, Jennifer (Brian) Carroll and Rachel Mathias. He is also survived by five great-grandchildren; Amanda, Megan, and Elizabeth Merkes, and Sullivan and Harrison Prellwitz. Preceding Skip in death are his parents, Anthony and Hazel Stein, his wife, Nancy Nash Stein, and his sister, Betty Stein.
A memorial service for the Celebration of Skip’s life will be held at the First Congregational Church of Ripon on Tuesday, July 22, 2003, at 1:30 p.m. The family will receive guests prior to the service, beginning at 12:00 noon. The Reverend Jack Kraaz will officiate. Private inurnment will be in the Garden of the Cross Cemetery, City of Ripon. A memorial in the name of Skip and Nancy Stein, has been established for restoration of a stained glass window at the First Congregational Church, Ripon.

Butzin-Marchant Funeral Home, Ripon, is assisting the family.
www.butzinmarchant.com