Steve Slezak, age 75, unexpectedly passed away at his residence in Marco Island, Florida, on Saturday, January 24, 2026. He had been in poor health but nevertheless, his passing was unexpected. He was the son of Philip and Rita (nee Mueller) Slezak. Steve was born and raised in Baraboo, Wisconsin, where he was a 1967 graduate of Baraboo High School. He later attended and graduated from Wisconsin State University-LaCrosse, in 1972, where he was a member of Delta Sigma Phi fraternity.
After his graduation, he decided to try something unique and out of the box- he applied for a high school teaching job in Australia. To his surprise, he was selected for the position and off he went pursuing a teaching career as a physical education teacher. Throughout his entire adult life, he cherished that experience and would often describe it as ”the most enjoyable time of my life.” During his time there he also developed an avid interest in computers. After completing his teaching contract he returned to Wisconsin and decided that the computer tech world, not teaching, is what really motivated him. He secured employment with CUNA Credit in Madison where he spent his entire career in the IT field as a computer programmer.
After many years at CUNA, he longed for a more pastoral, rural lifestyle and so he moved to Hancock, Wisconsin, where he continued his IT career as a computer programmer for Sentry Insurance. He purchased a home overlooking beautiful Fish Lake where he resided for over 30 years. Steve loved just sitting on his deck observing the activities on the lake enjoying the tranquility and savoring mother nature at its best. Whether fishing off his pier or sailing his boat on the lake, he was completely content. Steve was a voracious reader with a particular interest in World War II history, and a passionate Packer and Badger fan (former football season ticket holder) who rarely missed watching their games. He fancied himself as a very good cook and baker (especially his Thanksgiving Dutch apple crumb pie). He was surrounded by a circle of close friends of whom he was very fond of. Be it playing softball, golfing, bowling, going out for a Friday fish fry or entertaining them on his deck, they truly enjoyed one another’s company.
After his retirement, he dedicated his later years to serving as a substitute rural route postal carrier, as well as substitute teaching for the Hancock, Coloma and Plainfield school systems.
The last chapter of his life required a move from Hancock to Marco Island, Florida, where he served as a care provider for his mother.
He was preceded in death by his father Philip Slezak and is survived by his mother, Rita (Slezak) Lachmund, daughter Elizabeth Williams (Travis Harper) (grandsons Seth, Connor, Braden, and Aaron), brother Tom (Noralee) Slezak, nephews Scott (Hope) Slezak (children Katie and Harper), Chris (Allison) Slezak (children Carl, Abby and Victor), first cousin, Gary (Edna) Lachmund, and special long time Hancock friend Nancy Miller. He is further survived by a number of cousins and relatives too numerous to mention, but all of whom were very special to him. His wish was to be cremated and his ashes to be spread on Fish Lake. A Celebration of Life was held at Fish Lake in Hancock, WI at 2pm August 19th, 2026.
