Black Earth - Steven Nelson “Steve” Cowan, age 83, of Black Earth, passed away on Thursday, July 9, 2026, at his home. He was born on February 2, 1943, in Oshkosh, WI, the son of Milton and Cecile (Nelson) Cowan. Steven graduated from Oshkosh High School in 1961, where he’d been an honor student, vice president of his class, and a member of the National Honor Society. He went on to attend UW-Oshkosh, UW-Platteville, and UW-Madison, earning multiple bachelor’s degrees.

On August 14, 1965, Steve married Janice (Cowen) Cowan in Oshkosh, and for over 60 years, they shared a love for their children, historic homes, antiques, and friends and family. He owned and operated Cowan Construction Corporation and was certified as a master craftsman by the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI). In his free time, Steve enjoyed planting oak trees, traveling by motorcycle, and tinkering on tractors. He was a member of the Sierra Club and adventured on many expeditions across the U.S. as well as to Costa Rica and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Steve will be remembered for dreaming big and having the energy, creativity, and tenacity to bring many of them to fruition.

A celebration of life took place with Steve and his immediate family prior to his passing at which Steve enjoyed the many memories and stories shared by each person. He is survived by his wife, Janice; son, Ryan (Brooke) Cowan; daughters, Stephanie (Christopher) Belmas and Courtney Cowan; grandchildren, Barrett Cowan, Hunter Cowan, Quinn Belmas and Aidan Belmas; along with other relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Jean Rudell; brothers, Terrell Cowan, James Cowan and Daniel Cowan; and step-father, Wesley Brown.

Special thanks to Agrace HospiceCare and Gunderson Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to his widow who will place an engraved plaque in a hilltop oak grove Steve planted by hand on homestead property he dedicated to his family and future generations: c/o Gunderson Funeral Home, Janice Cowan, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, WI 53716. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Camacho Black Earth
Funeral & Cremation Care
1710 Center St.
(608) 767-3684

Steven Cowan

February 02, 1943 - July 09, 2026

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