Frederick Henry Steenis December 24, 1940 to August 27, 2026

Fred or Fritz – was born on Christmas Eve 1940 to Wilbur H. Steenis and Lillian Eve (Guckenberg) Steenis. He joined his brother Peter and was followed two years later by his brother Robert "Bob". His parents divorced shortly after Bob was born.

As a member of St. Joseph Catholic Parish, he attended St. Joseph School – was an altar server since 2nd grade (even for the Sisters in their chapel at 5:30 in the morning!), sang in the Boys' Choir and the Men's Choir, played tuba in the School Band, and was a Cub/Boy Scout playing baritone in the Boy Scouts Drum & Bugle Corps.

When he was old enough he had a Post Crescent paper route serving over 100 customers and one year received the "Carrier of the Year Award."

Fred spent a lot of his childhood days on his grandparents' farm – Jake & Bertha Sturm. He loved duck hunting and fishing there. And Gram's good cooking didn't hurt either!

After graduating from 9th grade, he attended St. Mary High School in Menasha where he participated in the Band Program, even helping the band director teach other tuba players!

While in high school he worked at Heid Music Company. After high school he started doing instrument repair at Heid's. This ultimately led to his becoming a school/college sales representative for Heid Music, where the band directors that he serviced in Wisconsin and Upper Michigan– and even some of their families – became his long-time friends! He spent 50 years working for Heid Music.

While still in high school he started playing bass with the Marty Martin Orchestra. This association lasted for nearly 40 years – even when they were mobilized in October 1961 to Fort Lewis, Washington, as members of the Wisconsin Army National Guard 32nd "Red Arrow" Infantry Division. He and Marty took their instruments with them and soon were playing in the Officers & Service Clubs where they were joined by "Chummy" Lambie on drums and Dick Mulroy on banjo. While at Ft. Lewis since most of the unit were Packer fans and Ray Nischke was a member with them, Ray Nischke would fly back for the Packer games, film them and then Fred would run the films while Ray narrated the games.

When the band returned to the Fox Valley they continued playing together – for many weddings, anniversaries, church dances, etc. Some band members changed over the years, but Fred and Marty played together until they disbanded.

While playing for a wedding he met "the girl in the yellow dress" who would become the love of his life and wife, Charleen "Char" Diedrick. They were married in 1962. Nine months later their son, Paul, was born. In the following year their daughter, Laurie, was born. Soon after, Fred and Char bought his grandparents' farmhouse, which became their lifelong home and where they raised their family, hunted, fished, and grew fruits and vegetables on the shores of Little Lake Butte des Morts.

After a stretch of 13 years another son, Mark, was born. When Mark married they became grandparents to Jacob, Ashley, and Dylan.

Over the years there were other additions to the family when Paul married Kevin, Ashley married Josh, and then Ashley and Josh gave them a great-grandson, Harlow, and a great-granddaughter, Camden. And now we have Mark's girlfriend, Heather, who has become a part of our family, too.

Fred was a member of the Appleton City Band for 25 years marching in the Appleton parades, playing Tuesday concerts in Pierce Park and serving as treasurer for many years.

Fred was named an honorary member of the Wisconsin Bandmaster Association in 2010. He was so pleased to be given this honor by band directors that he serviced for many years.

Over the years he was on the Parish Council at St. Bernard Parish, served Mass with his sons when they were old enough and continued serving Mass into his 70s.

After retiring from Heid Music he volunteered at the St. Joseph Food Program every Thursday – following in his father-in-law's footsteps! And in his spare time made many log cabin wren houses and hall trees from real trees that he collected and peeled!

In 1975, Fred & his brother, Bob, bought land at Tripoli and built a log cabin in the woods – many hours were spent enjoying the deer hunting camaraderie and nature. Great friendships were made with the Joe & Carleen Ledanski family and a number of others. After it was burned down by arson, they decided to build again – only this time it was more like a "church in the woods"! Much time and work was put into the new "cabin". Before it was completely finished, arson roared its ugly head again. After this 2nd cabin was burned, Fred decided to split with Bob and in 2000 he and Char bought a cottage Up North, where most weekends all year were spent with kids, grandkids, and friends. There they made great friends with the Bart & Terri Wick family. When age started to catch up with him and he couldn't get around as well anymore – couldn't climb the stairs to the lake or go fishing in the boat, the difficult decision was made to sell the cottage.

Fred was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents Peter Guckenberg, Bertha (Guckenberg) & Jake Sturm, and Peter & Minnie Steenis; brothers Peter Steenis, Bob Steenis, and Peter's wife, Judy; Char's parents, Elmer & Martha (Gloudemans) Diedrick; Char's grandparents Peter & Mary (Nabbefeld) Diedrick and Henry & Harriet (Vosters) Gloudemans & Henry's 2nd wife, Elizabeth (Molitor-Schumacher); brother-in-law Ron ("Elmer") Diedrick; sister-in-law, Janice Diedrick; his uncle and aunt Peter & Evie (Schuh) Guckenberg; and several cousins.

Fred is survived by his wife, Char; children Paul (Kevin), Laurie, Mark (Heather); grandchildren Jacob, Ashley (Josh) Kositzke and Dylan; great-grandson, Harlow, great-granddaughter Camden; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Barb Steenis, Richard (Yang) Diedrick, JoAnne (Tom) Schuler, Julie (Gary) Van Camp, Terri Diedrick, Larry Diedrick; godchildren Tom (Marsha) Guckenberg, David Schedgick, Angie (Don) Jungwirth; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends.

A funeral mass will take place at 11 am on Saturday, September 12, at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 1617 W. Pine St. Appleton.  Friends may visit at the church on Saturday from 9 am until 10:45 am.  In honor of Fred being an avid sportsman and lover of the great outdoors, the family has requested that guests please feel free to wear your favorite Packers, Brewers, Badgers, Cubs, hunting, fishing or music shirts to his funeral.  Interment will take place at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Appleton.

For those who wish to honor Fred, a donation to St. Joseph Food Program in his memory would be a meaningful gesture.  Please know that your thoughts and prayers are more than enough, and there is absolutely no request for anything more.

Our family would like to extend our gratitude to the Moments Hospice team, and a special heartfelt thank you to the wonderful Dimensions Assisted Living staff.  We are grateful for all of your exceptional care and the friendships which Fred received from you.  And as Fred would say..."Remember to take a butterscotch!!"