Stephen Banaszak

Stephen Banaszak Jr.

October 8, 1942 – February 15, 2026

Stephen Michael Banaszak Jr. died Sunday February 15 at the age of 83, having lived an active life that was deeply supported by his Catholic faith filled with family, friends and many interests.

Born October 8, 1942, in Milwaukee Wisconsin, Steve was the oldest in a family that would come to include 8 sisters.

Growing up in Madison, he attended Edgewood for grade school and high school. He briefly attended Marquette University before switching gears and working in construction.

He enjoyed packing up and taking trips. His first big trip being a drive out to Pasadena, California for the 1963 Rose Bowl in his 1962 Corvette. On March 23, 1963, he married Patricia (Pat) Gale Murray. They settled down in Madison and soon welcomed their first round of children Stephanie Marie, followed by Teresa Renee in 1964, Tracy Ann in 1965 and Michael Christopher in 1966. Pat and Steve welcomed his two youngest children, Amanda Kay and Douglas John in 1975 and 1976.

Steve worked in construction for a while before starting his professional career in Real Estate at D.L. Evans Co. After honing his craft at D.L. Evans, he broke out on his own becoming self-employed.

He loved to take time off in the summer and go to his cottage in Lake Delton, WI with his family and anyone else that wanted to come and visit. He would regularly pack his big blue van with his kids, nieces and nephews and neighborhood friends and have local adventures to the Big Sky drive in, area parks, Vilas Park Zoo, Great America and the Wisconsin Dells.

His affinity for cars would continue throughout his lifetime. He owned many different muscle cars. He enjoyed going to races and doing some Drag Racing himself, often bringing home a trophy for winning his class.

In 1989 his work took him and Pat to Boulder City, Nevada along with Doug and Amanda, and they split their time between Nevada and Wisconsin for many years.

His Catholic faith became a large part of his life. He was active in the Queen of the America’s Guild as a Founding Director. He helped establish Pro Labore Dei (PLD) in the United States. PLD is a charitable organization started by Sister Stella Maris in Nigeria. Steve would tell many stories of his journey to Nigeria in the early 2000s to visit her orphanage and school there.

In his later years, back in Madison, he loved to drive around the area, pointing out places where he had fond memories, big and small. He never failed to spotlight Mickie’s Dairy Bar, and tell the story of how he and his beloved wife Patricia met there to discuss their future together, getting married at the young ages of 18 and 20.

He lived to be 83 years old, even after doctors told his family 18 years ago that the bypasses he received during heart surgery would likely only last “5 to 7 years, tops”. He took that as a challenge, propelled by faith, hope, stubbornness, luck and a love of being alive.

Even towards the end, Steve was never without a new dream or a next plan…and to try to summarize his life is not an easy task. He liked a hamburger with a slice of raw onion and a frosty of mug of beer, driving through the Arboretum while saying a rosary, taking his grandkids to the park and McDonalds when they were young, circling cars and car parts in Hemmings Motor News. As he got older, he enjoyed watching his favorite movies again and again with one of his sisters or his children.

His beloved Patricia Gale passed away in 2012, a few months shy of their 50th wedding anniversary. He is preceded in death by his daughter Theresa Renee and two infant sons, Patrick John and Daniel Patrick, parents Dolores and Stephen, sister Anita and nephews Patrick Snell and Zachary Shively. He is survived by his children Stephanie (Craig) Carlson, Tracy (Joel) Ryan, Michael (Brigette) Banaszak, Amanda (Robert Moore) Banaszak, Douglas (Madeline) Banaszak, grandchildren Conor, Maeve, Luke, Cameron, Kate, Rylee, Regan, Brandon (Fabiola), Mia Faith, McKenna and Maxwell and great granddaughter Adelina, sisters Lynn (Richard) Crabtree, Susan (Dick) Priebe, Karen (Jeff Reinke) Banaszak, Nancy Lambert, Mary (Doug) Schaller, Geradette (Brian) Barkey, Dolores Snell (Mark Holmes) along with many nieces and nephews and cousins.

Family will greet friends at the Visitation on February 27, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Cress Funeral Home, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison WI. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow on Saturday February 28, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Our Lady Queen of Peach Church 401 S. Owen Drive, Madison WI. Visitation will be held at the church on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of Mass. Private burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery at 2705 Regent Street, Madison, WI.

Memorial Donations can be made to Pro Labore Dei in his name – Either at the service or mailed to: Lynn Crabtree, 117 South Rosa Road, Madison, WI 53705-4440.

Livestream the Funeral Mass here: Livestream for Stephen Banaszak

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

3610 Speedway Road Madison

(608) 238-3434