STEVEN RAY QUANCE
STEVEN RAY QUANCE
Steven Ray Quance, 75, of Wausau, WI, passed away Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024, at his home after a 12-year battle with cancer. He was born in Lafayette, IN, Jan. 18, 1949, and raised in Fort Wayne, IN. Steve was the son of the late Raymond P. Quance and Virginia (Hutker) Quance. Steve married his high school sweetheart, Sandra (Schele) Quance, June 10, 1972, and enjoyed 51 years of marriage. Steve graduated from Elmhurst High School in 1967. He went to Ball State University for a year then joined the United States Marine Corp in 1968, went to Vietnam language school and served in Vietnam. After the service, he worked on different construction crews. After marriage, they traveled around the U.S. in a remodeled school bus, enjoyed many adventures, then settled in Black River Falls, WI, where he started Quance Construction and they raised his son, Joseph P. Quance.
Steve was an avid outdoor man, fishing, hunting and processing his catches himself. He was a do-it-yourself man and good at it. He shared his talents with others whenever he could. Steve loved children so much. He adored his grandkids. He went to many sporting events, did school pick-ups and came to watch children and cook supper every Tuesday for about 20 years so that Angela could get a break and run errands.
Steve never met a stranger; he would chat with everyone at the stores at check-out or walking by. Steve was also very generous. He might tip the waitress $100 or pay the booster club $100 for a hot dog. Sometimes he would pay for groceries for the person behind him. He really liked blessing others at Christmas time; he would randomly give someone on the street $100. He could shoot the breeze with anyone. He joked around with his best friend, Jimmy, and his hospice nurse, John, until the end. Steve was thoughtful. His family meant everything to him, including his extended family (siblings, nieces, nephews and more). He said a few years ago, he has no regrets. He’s lived a good life. We’re glad to have been part of that.
Surviving are his wife, Sandy; son Joe (Angela) Quance; his sisters, Sue (Jim) Dowling and Carol (Doug) Ford; brother Mike’s wife, Judy; and nine grandchildren, Acacia, Breckin, Cullin, Evanie, Declan, Mia, Esmae, Toby and Ellawyn; and many nieces and nephews.
Along with his parents, Steve was preceded in death by his brothers, Mike Quance (1998) and Denny Quance (2023).
A memorial service will not be held at this time. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers or other gifts to the family, we would be blessed if you would follow Steve’s example and give your gifts to the lady behind you in line at the grocery store or to the kid selling lemonade on the side of the road or to the concession stand raising money or anything else you can think of that would help someone. If they ask why, you could say because Steve used to do it, and we want to remember him. Then, send a message or letter to us about the gift as a memorial to Steve. Or memorials could be sent in Steve’s name to Interim Home Care and Hospice, 510 N 17th Ave., Ste A, Wausau, WI 54401.
Mid Wisconsin Cremation Society (MWCS) is assisting the family at this time. Online condolences may be expressed at MWCS – WS.