Steve J. Magee

STEVE J. MAGEE

Steve passed away Wednesday morning January 8th at Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox, Il.

Steven “Steve” Jon Magee was born on January 29, 1964, in Madison Wisconsin. Son of Gary Magee and Tana (Knutson) Palmer. Steve spent his childhood in both Oregon and Stoughton Wisconsin. He had a special bond with Philayne and Tom Chose whom he resided with in his teen years.

Steve obtained an associate’s degree in Wisconsin and shortly thereafter moved to CA where he spent time with his father Gary Magee and his wife, Kathi Magee.

In CA he met his wife, Debra” Deb” Bicknase and they wed in Neveda on February 11, 1989, and again in front of family and friends in April of 1990 at St. Johns Lutheran Church in Fairmont Mn.

Together Steve and Deb raised their daughter Megan Magee starting in CA as well as IL, FL, PA, TX and back to IL with recently building a home in Frankfort, Il.

Steve worked for Mobil Oil in CA for several years, ran his own business “MAD” Magee Automated Design. In IL he was a project manager for Trapani Construction. Steve supported his wife in her career and became a “stay at home dad” when the concept was not widely accepted.

Steve had fought many medical battles with grace and courage from surviving cancer after 20 years with a bone marrow transplant from his daughter in 2016, to kidney and heart failures and other health challenges the last 6 years. He had a strong will to live and spend time with his family and friends. He used to joke he had “nine lives” and together with the support from his wife and daughter conquered those challenges with dignity.

Steve was known for his outgoing personality, humor and of course his expertise at backgammon. He has taught many how to play the game. His most revered opponent being his best friend “JD,” Jay Schaller.

In addition to his board games Steve enjoyed hunting, fishing, and range shooting. He has several trophy deer (and one bear) to attest to his hunting capabilities. His favorite spot is on the farm in Wisconsin, where his wishes are for his ashes to be disbursed. Steve’s love of baking and smoking meats has been enjoyed many across many states, many will miss his talents. Steve loved his dogs (and cat), and they loved him. Never just one dog at a time, always several loyal companions.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Deb Magee of Frankfort, his daughter Megan Magee of Chicago. His father Gary Magee and his wife Kathi Magee, sister Lisa Magee and brother Darren Magee. Many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.

Steve was preceded in death by his mother, Tana Palmer and her husband John, in-laws Rudy and Esther Bicknase as well as his fraternal and maternal grandparents.

Family will receive friends at Kurtz Memorial Chapel, 65 Old Frankfort Way, Frankfort, IL 60423 on Saturday, January 18th, 2025 from 10:00 AM until time of the funeral service at 1:00 PM. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations to the National Marrow Donor Program nmdp.org would be greatly appreciated.