Steve Robert Traister, born March 2, 1950, passed away Sunday, Aug. 2, 2009, at Hillview Health Care Center in La Crosse due to complications from diabetes.

Steve was born in La Crosse to Robert and Fern (Piepenhagen) Traister. He is survived by his parents of La Crosse; his sisters, Pamela Carlson of La Crosse and Patricia Hatke of West Bend, Wis.; his brother, LeRoy Traister of La Crosse; several nieces and nephews; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Francis Gaylord Traister, who died as an infant.

Steve was a 1968 graduate of La Crosse Central High School and graduated from Western Wisconsin Technical College in 1972 with a degree in respiratory therapy. His career as a respiratory therapist took him to Stanley, Wis., and Knoxville, Iowa, before he retired for health reasons and moved back to La Crosse about five years ago.

Steve was a Vietnam veteran and a life member of Thomas Rooney VFW Post 1530 of La Crosse. His joys in life were his pets, which included birds, dogs and tropical fish. He also enjoyed gardening and was an avid photographer and did many weddings, family reunions, landscapes and various wonders of God's creation.

A memorial service will be held at Mount Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church in La Crosse, where Steve was also baptized and confirmed. The service will be at 1 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7, with the Rev. Robert Wassermann officiating. Private entombment will take place in Garden of Peace Mausoleum at Mormon Coulee Memorial Park Cemetery. Friends may call at the church Friday from noon until time of services.

Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers and may be directed to the charity of the donor's choice in Steve's memory.

Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse is assisting the family.