John "Jack" A. Stechschulte

John “Jack” August Stechschulte Born August 15, 1934 Buffalo, NY • Passed away November 9, 2025 • Waukesha, WI.

Born in Buffalo, NY, the third son of Hubert John and Edigna Mary (Fischer) Stechschulte. Jack spent his early days riding bikes, playing ball, working at his father’s Auto Dealership and looking up to his two older siblings Donald William and Russell Francis from afar.

Jack attended St. Vincent Prep in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, before continuing on to the University of Notre Dame in South Bend and eventually Marquette University in Milwaukee. His education shaped his mind, but it was the summer between his freshman and sophomore years that shaped his life: when he followed his parents to Waukesha, Wisconsin, and met the woman who would become the love of his life, Nancy Jean (Goldammer). Waukesha became his home from that moment on.

There are men whose lives move like thunder — loud, flashy, impossible to ignore. And then there are men like Jack Stechschulte, whose presence was quieter but far more enduring — the kind that settles into the walls of a home, the soil of a backyard, the steady rhythm of ordinary days.

Somewhere between the brick streets of Buffalo and the halls of St. Vincent, he learned the value of calm over noise, substance over show. He carried that with him his whole life while raising a family, building numerous businesses, and holding his ground in a world that often rushes past what truly matters.

He attended Notre Dame and Marquette not for the prestige, but for what they instilled in him: that character outlasts achievement, and loyality is its own reward. A lifelong Catholic, he believed faith wasn’t meant to be spoken about so much as lived quietly, day after day.

He was a man of few words. But when he walked into a room, people straightened up. When he smiled, the air changed. When he reached for Nancy’s hand — the same hand he held for 71 years — the world seemed to steady itself.

He loved things built to last: his family, his friendships, his faith, a good car (ideally from GM), and a Manhattan poured properly — in a tub. With lots of ice.

Jack is survived by Nancy; their 6 children — Susan Jean (John) Hilbrich, Cynthia Jean, John Charles (Rebecca), Thomas Edward (Dhameer), Paul Hubert (Julieana), and James Roland (Tamica). Seventeen grandchildren: John “Jack” Nicholaus (KayCee) Hilbrich, Annika Elisabeth, Thomas Fischer (Kathryn), Christian Andrew (Alexandra), Sanne Katarina (Mark), Nicolette Daniela, Alexandra Jane (Corey) Knudson, Rachel Anne (Anthony) Schneider, Michael John, Isabella Rae, Julian Thomas, Gergana Diane, Katerina Elise, Roland Ellis, Nolan Finn, Catherine Jean, and Kyle Angus.

He leaves as well seven great-grandchildren: Steck Nicholas Markle, Savannah Hilbrich, Adeline Hilbrich, Jackson Gregory, Daniel Thomas, Hayes Christian, and Lyla Marie.

They are his living story. Proof that quiet strength can echo louder than any noise the world makes.

Visitation will take place on Saturday, January 17, 2026 from 9:00am until 10:45am at Corpus Christi Parish-St. Mary Church, 225 S. Hartwell Ave., Waukesha, WI 53186. Funeral Mass to begin at 11:00am. Burial to follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, Waukesha.