Steve's Medical and Funeral Costs

In memory of Steve Nero, this is a fundraiser set up to help ease the burden of medical expenses brought on during a month-long battle with COVID-19. Steve lost his fight on January 28, 2022, and now his family faces a great financial strain during a time of sorrow.

All money will go to Steve's wife, Kim, in order to cover medical bills, funeral costs, and living expenses.

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Hello,

My name is Jessica and one of my best friends and a fellow Registered Nurse, Erin Zander, just lost her father at age 64 to COVID-19.

Let me begin by saying, I started this (with permission from the family) to help ease the burden of the medical expenses that were accruing while Steve Nero was in the hospital fighting for his life against the very virus that has wreaked havoc on us all for the past two years. Unfortunately, before I could publish this, Steve passed away with family by his side on January 28, 2022.

Life is hard. It's even more difficult when your loved one is suffering from a medical illness and you are wondering how you are going to pay for all the expenses. I do not want my friend and her family to have to struggle with the medical expenses or funeral costs while grieving the loss of their father or husband.

On December 23, 2021, Steve was sick and tested positive for COVID-19. He remained at home with family until December 27, when his family finally convinced him to go to the ED. There, they started him on a steroid and sent him home on oxygen.

By December 29, Steve's oxygen worsened to the point of needing to be admitted to Aspirus Wausau Hospital. Initially, Steve's oxygen levels worsened, causing him to become confused and agitated. He was started on Bipap. Then, on New Year's Day, the family was able to talk to Steve but could tell something was still off.

On January 2, 2022, Steve was intubated and placed on a ventilator. Steve spent 26 days in the Intensive Care Unit fighting for his life before he passed away with family by his side.

The past 26 days have been a roller coaster of small improvements but ultimately continued decline. This included complications of multiple infections, blood pressure issues, heart arrhythmias, and development of skin wounds due to the positioning he had to be in and the many lines/tubes. With restricted visitor guidelines at the hospital, family members had to take turns visiting. Some were even unable to see Steve since his admission to the hospital; two of those family member's were his grandchildren Zoey (4) and Calvin (7 months).

During this time, the family faced additional hardships. Due to exposure, they had to take off from work for their own quarantine—some even contracting the virus themselves.

Steve's wife of 42 years, Kim, has had to carry the burden of being the sole worker. And now, she will have to take on the complete financial responsibility—including medical expenses, funeral costs, and living expenses—without her husband.

Let me tell you a little about Steve. Also known as Baka, by his two beautiful grandchildren, Steve was born on May 18, 1957. He was raised in Tigerton by two very loving parents and two older sisters. Steve was a ball of fire and always got into shenanigans with his buddies. Steve married his high school sweetheart, Kim, on April 28, 1979. They settled down across the field from his childhood home and raised two wonderful children: Jason (38) and Erin (33). Steve had a great love for being outside with his granddaughter Zoey, feeding birds, going on four wheeler rides, and relaxing on the deck. Steve is described as generous, caring, fun-loving and was there for anyone who needed him.

We appreciate any help we can get which may include healing thoughts, prayers, kind words, or your ability to donate funds to help support this family during this very dark time. Thank you for supporting this wonderful family in any way possible.