Stephen “Red Dog” Florer, 68, of Balsam Lake, WI, passed away on November 5, 2024, with family by his side after a brave battle with lung cancer.

Steve was born to Melvin and Lois Florer on April 25, 1956, in Cumberland, WI.  He attended Palmer Country School until March 1966, when his family moved to River Falls. He graduated with the River Falls High School Class of 1974. During High School, he excelled in both football and wrestling. Some of his wrestling accomplishments include being the Conference, Regional, and Sectional wrestling champ and taking 6th place in State during his senior year. Steve’s love of sports continued for the rest of his life, especially baseball, and he could often be found listening to a game on the radio while working on a crossword puzzle.

During the deer hunting season of 1986, Steve set his sights on marrying Maxine, uniting their families in marriage. Together, they had four children. They spent many years together working, traveling, enjoying the outdoors and fighting over cribbage games. Steve was a dedicated family man, and took great pride in all his children and grandchildren.

Those who knew Steve knew he was a big guy with a big personality to match. His imposing size was evident from a young age as he looked comfortably out over the heads of his siblings in family photos.

Steve was perhaps the world's most enthusiastic conversationalist. He LOVED to talk, and he could always strike up a conversation. Whether it was an old friend, a new acquaintance, or an unsuspecting cashier, Steve could eat away an afternoon chatting or telling stories with anyone. He was friendly, a good listener, and quick to laugh - and he had the kind of booming laugh that filled up the whole room.

An avid outdoorsman, Steve loved to hunt and fish and passed that love on to his kids who often joined him in the woods or on the lake. Fueled by pots of black coffee, he was always making plans for the next hunting season or outdoor adventure, but he would put all of those plans on hold if someone needed his help. He had a big heart for his family and friends and you could call him anytime, day or night, if you needed him.

Steve worked at Andersen Windows for over two decades before setting out to start his own home construction business. As age caught up with him, he traded in his tool belt for a new career as an over-the-road truck driver. Trucking took him all over the country, meeting new people and having too many conversations to count along the way, until his retirement.

Steve’s kids will miss the time they spent together, in the woods, on the construction site, at the dining room table, or driving around in the truck - and all of the adventures, mishaps, and laughter they shared together. Steve was preceded in death by his parents, Melvin and Lois. He will be remembered by his wife, Maxine; his children, Jennifer Ruege, Sarah (Jeremy) Lawrenz, Olivia Florer, Sophia (Joe) Galloway, Samuel Florer, Hannah Florer, Matt (Lisa) Murphy, and Jason Cooper; numerous grandchildren and one great-grandchild; siblings, Joan (Brian) Ramberg, Karen (Ron) Karras, Tom (Sue) Florer, and Mary Beth (Ray) Williams. Many nieces and nephews; his extended family & friends; and gas station attendants across the US.

A Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at 11:00 AM at the Kolstad Family Funeral Home in Centuria, Wisconsin. Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM and go until the time of the service.

The Kolstad Family Funeral Home was entrusted with arrangements.

Last Update: Nov 08, 2024 10:31 am CST