Michael J. Schultz

Michael Jerry Schultz of La Crosse, Wisconsin passed away on Friday, October 13th, 2023. He was 72 years old.

Mike was born in 1951 to Joyce and Jerry Schultz and was the beloved brother of Debby, Jeff, David, Suzi, Lynda, Chris, and Lisa. (He was also the uncle to far too many nieces and nephews to name here, but he loved them all.)

In 1975 Mike married the love of his life Susan Stalsberg of La Crosse, and together they had two children, Kimberly and Kevin.

Mike loved La Crosse, too, and the three rivers it brings together. He called it home throughout his life, leaving only to serve his country in Vietnam, in the Army’s 101st Airborne Division. There, he earned the Air Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Bronze Star Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, two overseas service bars, a Vietnam campaign medal, and a Vietnam service medal.

His heart was always on the river, where he enjoyed boating, fishing, and enjoying time with Sue and their family. Within a few miles of their houseboat on the Black River, he watched his daughter Kimberly get married to Marty Senn and his son Kevin get married to Bethany Lisinski. At that same spot on the river, he taught his five grandchildren – Jason, Ryan, Norah, Hugo, and Freddie – to fish. It’s a memory they’ll always cherish and share.

Mike spent the majority of his career as a Master Electrician at the G. Heileman Brewing Company and Kwik Trip and enjoyed tremendously the people he met and befriended along the way. Everyone who knew and loved Mike will remember him as a generous soul, quick with a laugh and a joke, and kind to everyone who was lucky enough to cross his path. He loved traveling with Sue, reading quietly, and enduring the raucous holiday noise of his five grandchildren.

Whether serving overseas or teaching so many to bait a hook-on French Island, Mike was a hero to many, and will forever be remembered as a loving and devoted husband, dad, and grandfather.

A blessing and military honors ceremony to honor Mike’s life will be held on Friday, October 27, at 11:00 a.m. at the Catholic Cemetery in La Crosse. Family and friends are invited to join in remembering, celebrating, and hopefully laughing to honor Mike’s legacy.