Obituary: Stephen Rahn - Class of 1967

MARATHON, FLORIDA/ MADISON - Stephen F. Rahn, age 50 of Marathon, Florida and formerly of Madison, died on Tuesday, June 29,1999 at 4:15 a.m. in the intensive care unit of Fishermen’s Hospital, Marathon, Florida, following an automobile accident the day before on US Highway 1, MM 58 Grassy Key, near Marathon. Stephen was born on September 15, 1948 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, son of Alice T. (Fisher) Rahn of Madison and the late Douglas A. Rahn, Sr., who died in 1964. He was a lifelong resident of Madison and while a youth was a proud member of the Madison City Boys' Choir. He graduated in 1967 from Central High School, Madison and lettered in varsity swimming, track and cross country. He then attended the University of Wisconsin, Platteville for two years before voluntarily enlisting in the United States Marine Corps in 1969. He served the Corps proudly and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Vietnam Service Medal with one Star, a Presidential Unit Commendation Ribbon and a Purple Heart for injuries suffered in combat. He was honorably discharged from the Marine Reserves in May 1974. After returning home he worked in his vocation of restoring classic automobiles and enjoyed his avocations of deer hunting, deep sea fishing, sailing, boating, Karate and Tae Kwan Do. Five years ago his love and the call of the Atlantic brought Linda and Steve to Marathon, Florida. Steve’s many friends saw him as a special person who always seemed to bring out the best in people. In their relationships, whatever they might have been, people of all walks of life and he seemed to get along together. Surviving in addition to his mother in Wisconsin, is his wife, Linda L. (Sugden) Rahn, whom he married on May 21, 1983 in Madison: a stepson, Justin S. Sugden of Sun Prairie; two brothers, Douglas A. Rahn Jr. and his wife, Ann, and Nicholas T. Rahn: a niece, Michelle Rahn; three nephews, Brenton, Douglas III and Andrew Rahn; and a godson, Andrew Kalin, all of Madison; three aunts; and an uncle. The family wishes to share a quote that Stephen lived by and often said, “You can not go back, you have to go forward.” Following cremation, there will be a Memorial Gathering on Friday, July 2, 1999 at 5:00-p.m. at SAN PABLO CATHOLIC CHURCH, Marathon Shores, Florida, where friends may gather until 7:00 p.m. Memorial Services will be held at a later date in Madison for friends and relatives there. In lieu of flowers, those desiring are asked to remember Steve with a contribution to the charily of their choice or to his wife, Linda in Marathon, at P.O. Box 500623, Marathon, FL 33050. Cremation and arrangements have been entrusted to the MARTIN-VEGUE FUNERAL HOME, 2901 Overseas Highway, Marathon, Florida 33050.

Originally published in The Capital Times on July 2, 1999. Submitted by Michael Vahldieck (Class of 1968).