Stephen Rach of New Holstein passed away at home, with his wife at his side, on October 8, 2011, at the age of 59, after a long painful and courageous fight with cancer. He was the strongest man and was loved so much by his wife, Lucy. He was born January 17, 1952 to the late La Verne & Marion (Schad) Rach. Steve was most proud of his service in the Marine Corp (Cpl E-4). He spent a year in Okinawa during the Vietnam War. He was in the service from October 1970-1973. On July 24, 2001, he married Lucy Dziadek. He fought courageously to be here for their 10 year Anniversary. He worked for A & A Builders in Kiel and Managed Dairy Queen and Tasty Freeze in Illinois. Survivors include his wife, Lucy; his son Steven (Amelia) Rach and children, Brendan & Sara; his daughter, Chastity Lopez and children, Dawn, Travis, Joshua, and Megan; his daughter, Rebecca Rach; his step-children, step-daughter, Sarah (Mike) Langenfeld and children, Jaime, Trent, and Christian; step-daughter, Angela (Paul) Lu Maye and child, Seth; step-son, Eric Jurgensmier (Beth) and children, Hayden, Dominic, and Trevin; step-son, Joseph (Melissa) Jurgensmier and children, Dakotah, Hunter, Abby, Jack, and Lily; his brothers, William (Lil) Rach and John "Jack" Rach; his sisters, Lois (Gerald) Herr and Kris (Brian) Woelfel; his sister-in-law, Pat Rach; his mother-in-law, Betty Dziadek; a special aunt, Amanda Socha and further survived by other aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, cousins and many friends. Preceding him in death were his parents, La Verne & Marion Rach; his brother, Richard Rach and a sister-in-law, Phyllis Rach. A Memorial Service will be held at 3:00 PM on Sunday, October 16, 2011 at the Sippel Funeral Home, 2618 Altona Avenue in New Holstein. Inurnment with Military Rites will be held in the Holy Rosary Catholic Cemetery in New Holstein. Family and friends may call at the Sippel Funeral Home on Sunday from 1:00 PM until the time of services. Lucy would like to thank Dr. Phillips and his nurse, Nancy and Jean his hospice nurse. Also, she would like to thank family, many friends, and neighbors for all their love and support through these difficult years. Steve's favorite quote….. "Remember me with smiles and laughter for that's the way I'll remember you all; If you can only remember me with tears, then don't remember me at all." All who knew Steve knows Gods kitchen is a little cleaner today. For additional information, please call the Sippel Funeral Home in New Holstein (920) 898-4300 or visit www.sippelfuenralhome.net