Steven David Pawlak was succumb by his illness December 5th, 2017 at the age of 55. . Survived by his beloved Brenda Breit, parents Joe and Kris Pawlak, sister Kim (Brian) Wisniewski, nieces Angela (JJ) Hausmann, Kristine (Cliff) Gondek, and Lillian Walla, nephew Dakota Walla, other relatives and friends. Sadly missed by all, including Princess and Spooky.Visitation Tuesday, Dec. 12th, 1 to 3 PM, Hartson Funeral Home, Hales Corners. Memorial Service at 3 PM.Born May 6th, 1962 in West Allis, Wisconsin to David and K. Kris (Nee Reiter) Pawlak. Steven was always such a good kid growing up and never a problem in school. He graduated high school with high honors, held several jobs, starting his own racket stringing business for family, friends, and area high school tennis teams. He was the top number #1 player at several tennis clubs in our area. There is a box full of trophies to prove this. Steven played tennis tournaments all over the city, and state-wide also, achieving to #4 in the men's tennis tournament in the state of Wisconsin and played many tennis tournaments in the Mid-West Tennis Conference! He gave tennis lessons and held tennis tournaments at his home for area young boys and girls for many years.He then attended UW-La Crosse, where he met his best buddy Bert Krawczyk (Hubie) who shared dorm rooms with him, and they have remained buddies ever since. A good guy, he understood Steve's heart. Steven then transferred to UW-Madison, while all the while working his way through college, being very ambitious and driven to succeed. He graduated from UW-Madison in 1989. He was invited to join Mensa ($40.00 to join and $70.00/year) which he couldn't afford at the time, so he had to decline. Such a brilliant mind was recognized and that alone could have taken him far.Steven loved tennis to no end. He had two tennis courts at home which he would practice on and give tennis lessons to area kids and his Dad's associates from Kearney and Trecker. As a pro-tennis player he taught tennis all through his college years at John Powless Tennis Center in Madison. Steven played tennis at the University of Wisconsin Nielsen Tennis Center in Madison, also. He also taught an all-girl tennis team at a Madison high school, and they won a championship. Steven being a certified racket stringer, who had his own small business and strung tennis rackets for many years, was a good way to earn money.After college, Steven moved to Colorado, where he became a licensed real estate agent and a licensed certified appraiser. Steven also obtained a real estate agent license and a certified appraiser license in Wisconsin. He also managed a large apartment complex there while obtaining his licenses. Steven also worked the police with the Neighbor Watch area, had several ideas for this, which the police adapted.Here he obtained his black belt in karate in Colorado, working hard for this degree, to help his mind concentrate and help with his disease.As most know, Steven had this terrible disease which finally caught up with him. So many did not understand this disease, and he lost friends and even relatives because of it. Steven had such a good heart, was kind and selfless, but so many had seen the "other side" only. It was the disease "talking", that people focused on. It is truly a hard disease to understand by most, which is understandable. There were many, many attempts to overcome this disease, and many, many failed attempts to overcome it, but it does take a toll on even the very brave. It makes one cry.Steven had a good heart and was very artistic. His sketchings are impressive and deep. Steven also had some awards for his poetry. Both of these endeavors were more of a personal matter to him, he didn't broadcast them. Take a look at some of his sketchings and poetry, and you will be impressed with his ability… especially with his awards for the poetry.His potential in life was outstanding…sad, that he couldn't accomplish most. Although if you really talked to Steven, you would feel his good heart, his smart and quick mind, great sense of humor and generally a truly good person. We wish you knew him this way. As if you didn't know Steven well…you missed a very special soul!"Grief is NOT a disorder, a disease or sign of weakness. It is an emotional, physical and spiritual NECESSITY the price you pay for love…The only cure for grief is to GRIEVE."By Earl Grollman.