Stephenson, Theodore Ernest                                                                                             
Theodore Ernest Stephenson passed away on Monday, March 9, 2009, He was born on Oct. 28, 1931, in Madison, the son of Theodore and Vera (Quinney Stephenson.  He and Belle Hudson Harris were married on Feb. 16, 1963.  He earned a degree in civil engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and served with the U.S. Army in Alaska during the Korean War. He was active with the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps, and his dance band, the Polka Dots.   Theodore devoted many hours to the Bethel Bible Series, teaching Confirmation, working with the Food Pantry and as a greeter with his wife, Belle. Theodore worked for 37 years as an engineer and administrator for the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, retiring in 1992. At the DOT, he initiated or created many programs for the state including the adopt-a-highway program, the motorcycle safety course, weather stations, hiring persons with disabilities to work at rest stations, and numerous initiatives to protect and preserve the environment.
The Brothertown Indians Historical Marker was his project, from approaching the State Historical Society of Wisconsin to place a historical roadside marker recognizing the Brothertown Indians within our original Reservation lands, to the preparation of a dedication ceremony.  His donation of his time, his knowledge of the Department of Transportation and his financial donation to the project resulted in the Historical Marker being installed in 1999 and the marker, overlooking the original Brothertown Reservation land and Lake Winnebago, will be a lasting memorial to our ancestors.  He served as a Tribal Council member and as a Tribal Chairperson of the Brothertown Indian Nation. Ted had great organizational skills and that was exactly what the BIN needed when he took office.  He set as a goal updating and sourcing the Petition sent in to the Bureau of Indian Affairs in 1995.  
He brought all records into the office, organized volunteers, who spent countless hours working in the tribal office.  The goal of bringing the Petition current was accomplished in December 2005, when six boxes of new materials were sent in to the Office of Federal Acknowledgment.   Theodore worked tirelessly for the rights and recognition of the Brothertown and would want all Brothertown members to work diligently to ensure that the tribe gain federal recognition and see the dreams of generations of Brothertown achieved.  The OFA has set June 2009 to give the BIN an interim determination. Our children and grandchildren and all generations to come owe thanks to the dedicated Brothertown members like Ted, who had a vision for the tribe’s future and worked so hard to achieve it.  They will all be at the Celebration party in Spirit when their vision finally becomes reality. 
Ted was a leader for Boy Scouts Troops 420 and 6, and received a 25-year service recognition award.  He was very proud when his sons earned their Eagle Scout Awards.. Theodore was a member of the local BMW motorcycle club and logged many miles motorcycling. He enjoyed dining and dancing at the Madison Elks Club. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Belle; his children, Kristi (Joe Sharkus) of Fitchburg, Martha and John both of Madison, Amy of Massachusetts, Jeffrey (Julie) of Montana, and Susan (Michael Fetch) of Florida; and his beloved grandchildren, Mitchell, Meghan, Jenna, Justin and Hayden Sharkus. He is also survived by his sister, Dorothy Jones; and brother-in-law, Richard Goold. He is preceded in death by his son, Greg; his parents, Theodore and Vera; his brother, Wayne; and his sister, Nancy Goold.