Michael D. Niewolny, 69 of Wausau, passed away on December 12th, 2023.

He was born on November 12th, 1954, in Wausau to George and Patricia (Urmanski) Niewolny. He attended schools in Wausau: Rib Mountain Elementary, Holy Name, John Muir, and Wausau West High. Mike played the trumpet and excelled in the Industrial Arts program, especially in woodworking. This is when Mike realized he had a natural talent for woodworking and enjoyed remodeling projects throughout the years.

During his younger years, he, his brother, and the neighborhood kids began a club called the "Woodsmen Club". They built a little furnace from scrap sheet metal, and that little heater went with them to Lake Wausau to ice fish, and on all their adventures. They recycled wooden fruit crates, pedaling many miles on their bikes pulling their homemade hay racks on their wagons.

He married Marcia (Pasnecker) Anderson (who survives) in Wausau, where they made their home. Together they enjoyed road trips, camping at state parks and made their summer home at permanent campsites in Algoma and Tomahawk. Mike always enjoyed Marcia's good cooking, especially her pumpkin pie and banana bread.

Mike began working at an early age running a paper route in Rib Mountain that was over 10 miles long. Through the sunshine, the rain, and 20 degrees below zero, he rode his bike and made sure everyone got their paper every day. He also worked at Hoffman House as an apprentice cook and shared stories about his time as a Clark Gas Station attendant. He dedicated 42 years to Marathon Cheese as a machine operator.

Mike's first love was motorcycles and fast cars, which was soon replaced by his love of the outdoors. He loved hunting, fishing, and his family's hunting cabin. They bought the property, logged the land, and built their hunting cabin. Mike loved listening to rock 'n roll like George Thorogood and Jethro Tull along with some oldies from the 60's and 70's. He was a member of the Wausau Ringneck Pheasant Club. He loved his hunting companions: Prince, Daisy, and Jasmine, and then Bear, his lap dog. He loved watching the Packers and when football was not on there was always a hunting or fishing show on TV. And let's not forget about his FAMOUS FISH FRIES he shared with his family and friends; they were the best!

Mike loved his family very much. Mike and Marcia have five children: Christine (Todd) Heise, Sarah (late husband Todd) Hieronimus, Jennifer (Tony) Heuer, Lucas (Angela) Niewolny and Francis (Chaina) Niewolny. Grandchildren: Louie Watters, McKenzie (Adam) Ahrenholtz, Johnathan Heuer, Brandon Heuer. He is further survived by his siblings: Kenny (Lisa) Niewonly, Karen (Dave) Wendorf and Linda (Steve) Radtke, brother-in-law Charlie (Chris) Pasnecker and sister-in-law Rose (Robin) Procknow, and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his parents, son in law, Todd Hieronimus, sister-in-law and husband, Mary and Doug Krueger and brother-in-law, Alan Pasnecker.

A Celebration of Life will be held on January 7th, 2024, 11:00 am to 3pm at Willow Springs Garden on 5480 Hillcrest Drive, Wausau, WI. Reverend, Dr. Philip C. Schneider of St Paul's United Church of Christ, Wausau, will officiate with a blessing and prayer at 2 pm.

The family wishes to thank all those that helped with Mike's care.

Mike, we will miss you. We hope you are enjoying a cigar, whiskey or margarita and you have an endless supply of chocolate, hard candy, cookies, and Honey Crisp Apples while watching your outdoor channel and sharing a fishing or hunting story of your own.

Mid Wisconsin Cremation Society is assisting family at this time.  On line condolences may be expressed at MWCS.WS