Michael A. Grochowski

Michael Grochowski, 58, passed away peacefully in his Holmen, WI home on April 25, 2019 surrounded by his family. Michael, born December 31, 1960 in Milwaukee, WI, came from a family of six. He grew up on the southside of Milwaukee and graduated from South Division High School. He loved to play basketball, was a skilled pool player, and spent his spare time helping his parents maintain rental properties. He had many fond memories of growing up in a large family. One that he talked of often was tying his little sister to a tree and watering her with a hose so she would grow.

In 1988 Michael met the love of his life Joanna and they spent over thirty years together raising a blended family of five. Michael was a devoted father and loved to spend his time off with his children. He enjoyed family vacations and tried to get as many camping trips squeezed into the summer months as possible. One of his favorite pastimes while camping was to don a mask and scare his children under the cover of the night. He spent many summers on Fort McCoy’s campground and in Hayward, WI fishing and pontooning with his family and loved ones.

Michael was a talented chef. He loved to cook and use his cooking skills to spoil his family. He would frequently prepare glamorous Sunday dinners for them, serving surf & turf platters fine-tuned to the point of peeling their crab to save them the hassle of cracking shells and getting their hands dirty.  No one could visit the Grochowski house without a meal and a Miller High Life - the champagne of beers .

Michael was a devoted Packer fan and proud “stockholder” of the franchise. He enjoyed organizing trips to Packer games with family and friends, and carried on the proud Wisconsin tradition of tailgating, always manning the grill.

Michael will be remembered as a loving husband, devoted father, and upstanding soldier. He shared his family values, love of music, going to concerts, cooking, beating his son in pool, Green Bay Packers, and camping with everyone he could. Michael was generous, strong, hardworking, and loyal to his family. He had a knack for gathering family and friends together and keeping everyone entertained. He will be well remembered for his sense of humor, never shy or slow with a wisecrack, and nobody was spared. He will endlessly be loved and honored by his family and friends.

Michael is survived by Joanna (née Sarandos), his beloved wife of 25 years; his children Michael, Janell, Jamye, Joel, and Andrew; his grandchildren Radley and Rhett; and his siblings Cindy Dentice, Sandra Dec, and Joel Grochowski. He is preceded in death by his parents Frank and Christine; his siblings Susana Roche and Frank Grochowski; and his military family CW4 John Boruch, Maj. JB Anderson, and CW4 Glenn (Bubba) Jensen.

Michael Grochowski enlisted in the United States Army Reserve August, 1st 1980 attending Basic Training at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri. His first assignment was with 961st Engineer Battalion Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In 1986, he completed training as a Chemical Specialist and transferred to the 382nd Chemical Detachment 12th Special Forces Group Arlington Heights, IL. He graduated Airborne School August, 23rd 1986. In 1988, he was selected for Elite Special Forces training at Ft. Bragg, NC. Michael spent 9 years in Special Forces rising to the rank of Sergeant First Class (SFC). In 1994, SFC Grochowski moved to Ft. McCoy, WI transferring to B Co 228th AVN Regiment. In 2004, he deployed with Headquarters 6-52nd AVN Battalion to Balad, Iraq as the BN S4 NCOIC. After the completion of this Combat Deployment SFC Grochowski rejoined B Co 6-52nd AVN BN Ft. McCoy, WI retiring in Oct 2011 with over with over 31 years of distinguished service to this Nation. SFC Grochowski’s Major Awards and Decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, Parachutist Tab and Special Forces Tab.

SFC Grochowski was admired by all who served with him. His leadership and influence in the Army Reserve will endure forever.

A 1:00 viewing with service to follow at 2:00 PM will be held Thursday May, 2nd at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2908 S Colony Ave, Union Grove, WI 53182. He will be buried with Military Honors on Friday May, 3rd promptly at 11:00 am at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 21731 Spring Street, Union Grove WI 53182.