Edwin “Ed” Stevens (1914-2018)

Edwin “Ed” Lorenzo Stevens, age 93 a resident of Kenosha, died Saturday June 30th, 2018 at the Hospice Alliance Hospice House in Pleasant Prairie.

He was born November 29th, 1914 in Sanford, NC to Clarence and Elizabeth (Allen) Stevens. He was the oldest brother Eleanor Edwards, (deceased), Gene (Judy) Stevens and Ray (Ann) Stevens. (deceased)

Ed’s immediate family are his wife Donna Mae (Baker) Stevens who he wed in 1944, son Wayne (Christine), granddaughter Hon. Elizabeth (Mark) Bentley, grandson Edward (Lori) and three great grandsons, Nathaniel, Henry and Owen.

Ed served in the US Navy during WWII and was discharged in 1945. He joined the Raleigh NC police force shortly after leaving the Navy. From there he launched his 40-year career in the wire rope industry starting with North Carolina Equipment Company and then with Broderick & Bascom Wire Rope in 1958 with stints in Raleigh, Chicago, and St. Louis as its central sales manager. In 1977 he joined McWhyte Wire Rope Company as General Sales Manager, a position he held until his retirement in 1992.

After retirement Ed volunteered at the Kenosha Dinosaur Museum, the Kenosha Civil War Museum, Pollard Gallery, and the Kenosha History Museum where he could meet people and brag about Kenosha.

Ed was a 40-year member of the United Methodist Church. He served on the Kenosha Transit Commission and was a proud supporter of the Kenosha Street Car. Ed joined the Kenosha Rotary Club in 1983 and served as Club President from 1988-1989. He remained active in the Club until his death. He was a member of the American Legion (Vallejo, CA) Ship 40 Navy Club, and the US Navy Armed Guard org. As a WWII veteran Ed provided an oral history of his naval service to the Pritzker Military Museum in Chicago and called VETSROLL in 2012 one of the highlights of his life.

Ed will be remembered for his ability to meet and connect with everyone.

Private services will be held with full military honors at the Southern WI Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Union Grove.

A Celebration of Life Open House will be announced when it has been scheduled.