Stephen James Vanden Heuvel

MADISON Stephen James Vanden Heuvel, 61, of Madison passed away on Tuesday, March 17, 2015 after a lengthy illness, surrounded by his family and friends. He died peacefully, though not without first waging a valiant battle, with lion-like courage, humor, grace, and love. Stephen was born on July 6, 1953 in Hillsboro WI, to Joan (Sandman) and Norbert Vanden Heuvel. He moved to Madison in 1955, where he spent most of his life, save for a brief time in Carlsbad, CA. He married Jody Staples in 1975 and though they later divorced their daughter Jessica has been the greatest source of pride and joy in his life. On Christmas Day, 2013 Jessica gave birth to a son, Lane Sweetland. During the months of cancer treatment the prospect of traveling to California to visit his grandson sustained him. Stephen graduated from the Wisconsin School of Electronics and began his career in cable communications. He was known as The Cable Dog (aka Weasel) at Cross Country Cable. His beloved niece Beth described him perfectly: sweet, wild, stubborn, funny, mischievous, and generous, all rolled into one amazing human being. His Christmas Eve fireworks display over a local lake will be long remember...[more]

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by his nephews, Joe and Ben. His great passion outside his family, however, was and always will be the Packers. As the second of eight children Stephen developed an uncanny ability to convince his younger brothers, friends and co-workers to go along with his many Pied Piper schemes. He was whip smart with a wicked sense of humor that was never cruel. He shared his mother's incisive wit and was a master of comedic timing and facial expressions. At his father's 90th birthday in October 2014 Stephen described how his father had become his best friend. He accompanied his father (a bombardier in WWII) on a Badger Honor Flight. At a 2014 air show his father flew in a B17 and Stephen in a B25. Stephen is survived by his daughter Jessica (Chris Sweetland), grandson Lane; father, Norbert; siblings Kathleen, Mary (Paul Blend), Mike (Tracy), John (Bridget Murray), Bob, Jane (Mick Richards), Dan (Cindy); nieces Elizabeth (Rob O'Shaughnessy, Aengus) Rebekah (Ray Hibbert); nephews Nick, Joe, Ben and countless friends, including Jodee Cox, Audray Keller and his guardian angels Bob & Brenda Ryan. His mother, Joan, and his grandparents George and Rika Vanden Heuvel and R.D. and Maxine Sandman preceded him in death. A memorial gathering will be from 1:00 PM till 3:00 PM on Sunday March 22, 2015 at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison with a time of sharing memories of Stephen at 2:00 PM. --the wearing of Packer gear is encouraged. A memorial Mass will also be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Monday March 23, 2015 at OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE CATHOLIC CHURCH, 401 S. Owen Dr. Madison. An organ donation made it possible for him to meet his grandson and he was deeply grateful to his donor and family. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to The Restoring Hope Transplant House. Cress Funeral and Cremation Service 3610 Speedway Road Madison 608-238-3434 Please share your memories at www.CressFuneralService.com