Obituaries

Holly Jean (Herman) Steger, 42, fell asleep on Sunday evening, May 20th, and awoke in heaven. She had faced cancer with the courage, optimism, humor, and even joy that marked her life. She is survived by her husband Aaron, her daughter Eleanor (9), twin sons Henry and Myles (7), sister Heidi Scott (Herman) Kretz, mother Mary Scott (Howe) Herman, brother-in-law David Kretz (Heidi), nephews Charlie and Leo Kretz, mother-in-law and father-in-law Kathy and Ed Steger, and brother-in-law Nick Steger. She was preceded in death by her father, Eugene John Herman.

Holly was born June 10, 1975, in Antigo, Wisconsin. She graduated in 1993 from Antigo High School, where she was active in band, gymnastics, and cheerleading. In the summers she lifeguarded with her sister at both Antigo and Wittenberg pools.
Holly double majored in English and Journalism at UW Madison where she graduated in 1997. She worked as a sales and banquet coordinator at the Inntowner in Madison for several years, arranging special Badger events, WIAA events, and weddings. Holly returned to school to pursue teaching certification at Concordia. She was hired to teach 8th grade language arts at the middle school in Monroe, Wisconsin. She was a passionate and dedicated teacher and forensics coach.

With the birth of her twins, Henry and Myles, Holly took on parenting full time. She volunteered regularly at Sugar Creek Elementary, Verona Area Community Theatre, and at Sugar River United Methodist Church, working with the youth group. She served as President of the Madison Area Mothers of Multiples for a year, writing and publishing monthly President’s Pen advice columns for moms with her characteristic wisdom and humor. Life without her would seem unbearable had she not infused the hearts of her family and friends with a steady dose of love, laughter, literature, courage, and faith. Holly was a loving, supportive wife, and a devoted Verona Wildcats fan, cheering on the team her husband coaches.

Of her many roles, perhaps the dearest to her heart was that of a mother. Holly left an indelible mark on her three children, believing “...love as powerful as a mother’s for you leaves its own mark. Not a scar, no visible sign...to have been loved so deeply even though the person who loved us is gone, will give us some protection forever. It is in your very skin.”
—J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

Visitation will be Friday, May 25, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, May 26, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Sugar River United Methodist Church, 415 West Verona Ave, Verona, WI., with the funeral (Celebration of Holly’s Life) to follow at 11 a.m., also at Sugar River United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Verona Area Community Theatre or the Verona Public Library.