Paul Henry Steingraeber, M.D.

Paul Henry Steingraeber, M.D., passed away Memorial Day, May 25, 2026, at the Mayo Clinic Health System Hospital in La Crosse, Wisconsin, following a brief illness and in the presence of his loved ones.

Paul was born September 2, 1946, in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Joseph and Elaine (Kalman) Steingraeber. He was raised in Waukesha, Wisconsin, where he attended St. Mary’s Grade School and Catholic Memorial High School (Class of 1964), and where he developed many life-long friendships. He attended St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota, graduating with a Biology degree in 1968. His exposure there to Benedictine values reinforced his generous spirit of service to others that he practiced throughout his life.

Paul next attended Marquette Medical School and the Medical College of Wisconsin, graduating with his medical degree in 1973. Throughout medical school, he received financial support from the Mother’s March of Dimes, an organization that now advocates to end preventable maternal health risks/death, preterm birth, and infant death. Due in part to this support, Paul focused his career on pre-natal care and women’s health. A college roommate (Jim) introduced Paul to his sister, Jane A. Schuler, who quickly became the love of his life. They were married June 19, 1971, in Batavia, Illinois, and began their married life in Milwaukee while he completed medical school. Paul completed his residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Milwaukee County General Hospital in 1977 and moved his family to La Crosse, where he began practicing at the Skemp Clinic and St. Francis Hospital (now part of the Mayo Health System). During his medical career, “Dr. Paul” delivered nearly 4,000 babies with the help of his exceptionally talented partners, residents, nurses and medical staff.

Paul loved the out-of-doors and was very active in scouting as both a youth and an adult. Highlights of Paul’s scouting experiences include attending the 1960 Boy Scout National Jamboree; attaining the rank of Eagle Scout; serving as Cubmaster of Pack 28; and participating in River Rat Camps (Cub Scouts) and High Adventure trips (Boy Scouts) to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Florida Keys, Glacier National Park, and Philmont Scout Ranch. In scouting and beyond Paul was always prepared, did his best, and never missed an opportunity to lead a call-and-response chant of “Cub Fun!” or sing “Scout Vespers.”

Paul also had a life-long love of the arts and humanities that was sparked, in part, by his friendship with Florence Retzer at her home and property outside Waukesha, which later became the Retzer Nature Center. Florence shared the joys of theater, poetry, visual art and music with Paul and his brothers John, Mark and David in their youth. As a father, Paul passed these joys on to his children through myriad performances and exhibitions at the La Crosse Community Theater, Pump House Regional Center Arts Center and Viterbo University.

Service to others – his patients, his family, and his community – were bedrocks of his life. Paul contributed by serving on the Board of the Boys and Girls Club of La Crosse and (in retirement) on the Board of Regents of Saint John’s University School of Theology and Seminary. His service to Women’s Health was recognized when he received the Dr. Rick Renwick Champion of Reproductive Health Award in 2019. Paul and his prized lederhosen were also active in the local Oktoberfest community, which he joined by virtue of the coattails on Jane’s dirndl when she was crowned Mrs. Oktoberfest in 2003. He also cherished his position as Head Social Director and Chief Treat Officer at “Camp La Crosse” when hosting his grandchildren. On a more private but equally important level, the home that Paul and Jane created together was the site of countless dinner parties and holiday meals that were shared around an expandable table where “there’s always room for one more.” Guests at these meals ranged widely and could include a visiting priest, a medical resident or locums doctor away from their own family, or an entire classroom of Jane’s nursing students.

Perhaps Paul’s greatest gift was his knack for simply showing up. Despite the intense hours required by his profession – babies are not born according to a 9am-5pm schedule – it was extraordinarily rare for Paul to miss an important event or not show up when needed, whether it was a wedding in New Zealand; a high school football game two weeks after a full craniotomy; a collegiate track meet; Sunday morning mass after working a 24-hour Saturday “on call” shift; or driving to the Twin Cities to babysit a grandchild: he was omnipresent by default.

One group that may not miss Paul’s presence are the officials at sporting events in the Coulee Region and beyond. The level of competition was irrelevant: when Paul was in the stands cheering for the Blessed Sacrament Black Knights, the Aquinas Blugolds, the UWL Eagles or the St. John’s University Johnnies, or watching the Milwaukee Brewers or Green Bay Packers on TV, there was never any question whose side he was on.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Elaine. He is survived by his loving wife and best friend of 60 years, Jane; his sons John (Shelley), Joe (Katie), Tom (Ann), and Katie (Luke); his grandchildren Freida and Mikko (John and Shelley); Adeline Claire and Christopher Emmett (Joe and Katie); and Ben, Claire and Charlie (Tom and Ann); his brothers John, David (Carol Simmons), and Mark (Carolyn); and his many nieces and nephews. In addition, Paul also shared a fatherly connection with Erin Higley and Tago Mharapara when he and Jane welcomed them into his family’s home and life.

Paul’s family looks forward to gathering in community to grieve our collective loss and celebrate his remarkable and impactful life. A visitation will be held on Sunday May 31st from 4-7pm at Schumacher-Kish funeral home in La Crosse. The funeral Mass is scheduled for Monday June 1st at 10am at San Damiano Chapel at Viterbo University; a short visitation will precede the mass from 9:15-9:45am. Live-streaming of the funeral can be found on the Facebook page for San Damiano Chapel at Viterbo University for those unable to attend in person, particularly his dear friends at Eagle Crest South. Online guestbook available at www.schumacher-kish.com.

In lieu of floral arrangements the family requests memorializing Paul in one of the following ways:

• A donation of time, talent or treasure to an organization aligned with the values that Paul demonstrated throughout his life;

• A thoughtful pause in his memory before your next beverage of choice (gin & tonic or brandy old-fashioned (sweet) suggested, depending on the season);

• Planting of a hardy, low-maintenance perennial or shade tree for current and future generations to discover and enjoy.