Michael Schmitz

Funeral services were held Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009, at Christ the King Lutheran Church, Onalaska, Wis., for Michael W. Schmitz, 56, rural Cashton, Wis., who died Sunday, Oct. 4.

Burial was in Leon Cemetery.

Mike was born July 5, 1952, in Sparta Wis., a son of Duane and Beatrice (Hagen) Schmitz. He grew up on the family farm near Melvina. After graduating from Cashton High School in 1970, he attended Career Academy for Broadcasting in Milwaukee. His career took him from WCOW in Sparta, to KGCA Radio in Rugby. He married Naomi Smith on Aug. 11, 1973, in Rugby. The couple moved to the La Crosse area in 1974, residing in La Crosse and Onalaska. In 1980, they moved to Holmen where they raised their children. in 2005, the couple built a home near rural Cashton. Most of his career was spent working in sales management and marketing including radio and cable T.V. He worked for WLCX, WLXR and Onalaska Cable Companies, and at the time of his death was employed at the La Crosse Radio Group as sales manager. Mike was also a co-owner of La Crosse’s ESPN Radio with Ed Sullivan for about three years.

He was a founding member of Christ the King Lutheran Church in Holmen. He helped to build their current building and served in numerous capacities. He served as a board member for the Holmen Area Foundation, Holmen Civic and Commerce Association, Holmen Athletic Boosters, YMCA, Big Brothers/Big Sisters and Oktoberfest, where he served as a Grenadier and as emcee for the Festmasters’ Ball for 30 years. He also announced local school sporting events and served as master of ceremonies for the Holmen Show Choir Invitational. He was an announcer for the La Crosse Interstate and Dells Motor Speedways, and did many radio and T.V. commercials.

He is survived by his wife; three children, Tara Schmitz of Onalaska, Aimee Blunt, Southhampton, England, and Derek Schmitz, Manitowoc, Wis.; five brothers, Greg and Scott, both of Cashton, Mark, Stewartville, Minn., David of Coon Valley, and Corey, Lewiston, Minn.; one grandchild and in-laws, Loren and Esther Smith, Rugby.

He was preceded in death by his father, Duane.

Rev. Timothy A. Duesnberg officiated.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund.

Arrangements by Dickinson Funeral Homes, La Crosse.