Steven Brandon

MADISON - Steven Brandon, age 47, of Madison, was removed from life support and passed peacefully on April 25, 2023, at St. Mary’s Hospital with his wife, Geneva, at his side telling him how much he was loved and playing Steve’s favorite sappy 70’s soft rock ballads. Steve was born in Madison, Wis., on Oct. 24, 1975. He was a premie and a triplet, one of two that survived, so he grew up with a twin brother, Heath. He referred to his siblings as “womb mates” and said his competitive nature began by stealing their nutrients, with Steve weighing in at a whopping 2 lbs. 10 oz. at birth. He admitted it was a miracle that he survived and said that’s why he liked to “live fast and take chances.”

He spent his childhood in Waunakee, Wis., where he and Heath took a special joy in testing their single mother’s sanity…the poor woman. None of us understand how she didn’t lose her mind with those twins. Steve was insightful, inquisitive and a lover of all things nature, especially exploring the mountains and desert of Tucson, Ariz., with Heath where they lived as teenagers. Those were formative years for Steve and he always longed to return. He moved back to the Madison area as a young adult and established himself as a dedicated, reliable employee, working in various warehouse settings with roles such as assistant supervisor, shipper/receiver, and most proudly as an extremely talented forklift/skid steer operator with an impeccable safety record. He was also proud to serve as vice president of the Carpenter’s Union Local 2190 at Techline USA. He never thought of himself as too good to push a broom because “if there’s time to lean, there’s time to clean.” He was known for constantly being on the move.

Steve met his sweetheart, Geneva Caraway, in 1995. They shared an immediate deep connection that only grew stronger as they spent over 27 crazy, amazing years together. They had an uncanny ability to read each other’s minds, which they found simultaneously annoying and amusing. They also shared a special sense of humor and firmly believed in daily belly laughs. They had wildly great times together. They didn’t have any children as Geneva had her hands full with Steve, but there was a revolving door of furry children in the form of cats and kittens. Steve’s special buddy for the last 13 years has been an orange tabby cat named, Rangoe, who is convinced he’s Steve’s puppy. Rangoe is an anagram for the word orange (Steve was clever and had a talent for naming cats).

Steve was an avid fisherman with an affinity for ice fishing. He loved when a lake froze over so he could walk out on his “poor man’s boat” to slaughter walleye and northern pike. There was never a shortage of shenanigans on his fishing escapades with his best friend, Al Kaatz. It’s a mystery how they survived some of those outings and lived to tell their fish stories/lies.

Steve was preceded in death by two brothers, Jason and Heath Brandon; his best friend, Al Kaatz; and his mother-in-law, Linda Alred who loved him like her own son. He is survived by his wife, Geneva Caraway; his mother, Kate Brandon; brother, Robert Brandon III; brother-in-law, David Klinker; and several wonderful aunts, uncles, cousins and in-laws.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

The family would like to thank the ICU nurses, surgeons and doctors at St. Mary’s Hospital for their excellent care, kindness and compassion. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420