Peter John Stauner, Sr., 86, aka “Big Pete” of Almena died Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Marshfield Medical Center - Weston. He was born May 11, 1939 in Almena, WI to Mike and Mary (Neubauer) Stauner. He grew up on the “home place”, helping on the family farm. He graduated from Turtle Lake High School in 1958, where he excelled in Track and Field, Baseball, and Football. He was married in St. Lawrence Catholic Church, Duluth, MN on June 8, 1968 to Deborah MacDonald.

He worked many years as a self-employed contractor, and there weren’t many jobs he couldn’t handle. He found that retirement didn’t have the appeal for him that it did for most. He would explain “I’m already doing what I love so I have always been retired”. He was known for his strength and ability to fix anything. While working he was known to use of colorful expletives such as “dirty bird” and “you bugger”. Pete was a young man at heart, in his own words “A teenager with a lot of miles”. He was a lifelong deer hunter and known to stop on a dime while driving to admire any whitetails. He spent countless hours with his kids and grandkids, teaching them valuable lessons during projects (which were always more complicated than he led them to believe). These lessons were real character builders and “hold the flashlight” was a very common phrase. Over the years, he truly and proudly supported his family in all of their sports endeavors. He faithfully attended everything from hockey, football, volleyball games to band and choral concerts and dance programs. He was also a devout Catholic and took great comfort in the teachings of the Church and joy in sharing the word.

He is survived by wife, Deborah; sons, Peter (Sara) Stauner, Jr., Christopher Stauner, Nathan (Heather) Stauner; daughters, Heather (Mark) Dahl, Lara (Josh Gago) Stauner, and Elizabeth Stauner; grandchildren: Anorah, Marcus, Lucus, Julian, Cael, Roman, Piper, and Amelie; sisters, Teresa Envall and Caroline Hendricks; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Pete was preceded in death by brothers Baby Albert, Albert (Fuzzy), and Henry; sisters, Margaret Homme, Rosie Klingelhoets, Josephine Gubbin, and Laura Shipla.

Visitation will be on May 27, 2025 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM with a scripture service at 6:45 PM at the Skinner Funeral Home in Cumberland, and for one hour prior to the Mass on Wednesday at the church. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Almena with Father Jayanna Kanna officiating. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery.

Last Update: May 16, 2025 6:06 pm CDT