Stephen W. Yost, age 47, died on Thursday, April 7, 2011, at HospiceCare in Fitchburg.
He was born on June 19, 1963, in Madison, the son of Robert and Mary (Garstang) Yost. Steve graduated from East High School in 1981, then attended UW-Eau Claire. He was always busy while in grade and high school with a Milwaukee Sentinal and Wisconsin State Journal paper route from the age of 12 to 16. In the summer, he mowed neighbor lawns and became self-employed with a pier and hoist service. In 1982, he became employed at Petrie's Sporting Goods at East Towne Mall. He became certified by the Ski Industry Manufacturers as a skiing specialist.
At East High School, he served on the school senate, participated in intermural sports and was on the swim team. His particular East High 200-medley team, where he swam the breaststroke, broke a school record which became a state top performance.
After his school years, Steve became employed by Anchor Savings and Loan, working his way up from teller to assistant supervisor of the Western District. Eventually he pursued other employment and found his niche in the marine supply business becoming employed by the West Marine store in Monona. Within a few years he was promoted to store manager. He was loved by his co-workers and yachting customers. His store became a top-producer, relative to size, in the West Marine corporate organization.
In his youth, Steve enjoyed hockey, golf, tennis, sailing, waterskiing, camping and swimming for the Maple Bluff and Badger Dolphins swim teams. However, his real forte' was sailing, beginning at age eight in the X-Class boat. He and his sister won many races and season championships with the Mendota Yacht Club. Graduating to larger racing scows, Steve and his crew won the Inland Lakes and National Championships. For years, Steve served on the board of directors of the Mendota Yacht Club and became commodore in 2006.
Steve is survived by his daughter, Stephanie Anne; sister, Anne Fulton Yost; and father, Robert E. Yost.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Mary Garstang Yost.
A memorial service will be held at CHRIST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 944 East Gorham Street, Madison, on Thursday, April 14, 2011, at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Glen Reichelderfer officiating. A visitation will be held at church on Thursday from 10 a.m. until time of service. A celebration of his life will be at the MAPLE BLUFF COUNTRY CLUB immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to HospiceCare at 5395 Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI 53711 or to the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, 600 Highland Ave., Madison, WI 53792.
A special thanks to the Doctors, nurses and staff at HospiceCare for all their compassion and care.
Cress Funeral and Cremation Services
3610 Speedway Road
(608) 238-3434
www.cressfuneralservice.com
