Stephen Profilet, Sr.

LCDR Stephen B. Profilet, USN RET, 90, passed away on June 14, 2017. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, June 21, 2017, at the Basilica of St Stanislaus Kostka, 625 E. 4th St, Winona, MN 55987, with visitation from 9:30 AM until the time of the Mass.

Steve, born in Cairo, IL on St. Stephen’s Day, December 26, 1926, was the second son of Julia Eisenberg Profilet and Louis Emil Profilet, Sr., and brother of Louis E. Profilet, Jr., Leo (Corky) T. Profilet, and Joseph J. Profilet. Their parents died young but the brothers carried on. All married and had families.

In high school, Steve enrolled in the Naval ROTC that led to a 23 year naval career. The NROTC allowed him to earn a BS in electrical engineering at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY, where he graduated with honors in 1949. Later, he earned a BS in civil engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY.

Steve married Doris Anne Wallace, also from Cairo, in May 1950 while stationed in Kodiak, AK. They had three children:  Theresa Michele Constable (Bryan) of Seattle, WA; Stephen Bonner Profilet, Jr. of Eugene, OR; and Cynthia Leigh Profilet Bell (Thomas) of Winona, MN. Steve’s grandchildren are Leigh Allison Leipart (Edward) of Eau Claire, WI; Ryan Thomas Bell of Winona; William Profilet Constable of Portland, OR; Heather Brie Constable (Douglas Long) of Oakland, CA. His step-great grandchildren are Jackson and Brittany Leipart. Steve has many nieces, nephews and cousins throughout the U.S.

Steve’s naval career took his family to Kodiak, AK; Oakland, CA; Troy, NY; Fort Campbell, KY; Zaragoza, Spain; Pensacola, FL; Camp Lejeune, NC; and Washington, DC. It wasn’t always easy since Doris Anne was often ill. His post-Navy career was as director of engineering at the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission where he worked until retirement in 1992.

Steve moved to Winona in Dec 2003 after Doris passed away to live with his daughter Cindy and son-in-law Tom. While in Winona, he was able to fulfill a lifelong aspiration to be a singer. He joined St. Stan’s choir, Winona Oratorio Chorus, and the Barbershoppers.

Steve was known as a political conservative and often voiced this opinion in Winona area newspapers. He also made it a lifelong habit to help others in need.

Steve’s ashes will be interred in Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, DC, at a future date.

The family is grateful for the caring staff at St. Anne Extended Healthcare and Winona Health Hospice for keeping dad comfortable as he left this world. Their kindness will always be remembered.

Online condolences or memories may be left for Steve’s family at www.watkowski-mulyck.com.

Watkowski-Mulyck Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.