Michael D. (Mike) “Birddog” Fellenz, 69, passed away March 28, 2026.

Mike was born on September 7, 1956, to Lois (Stoeckly) and Donald Fellenz in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

He was shaped by a family rooted in resilience. He was one of eight siblings, and they remained a close-knit group throughout their lives. With a wide gap in ages among them, Mike and his sister Sally naturally took on leadership roles within the family, helping guide and support their brothers and sisters in their own ways.

He was raised in the La Crosse area and graduated from Aquinas High School in 1974. It was there that he continued a relationship that began back in 8th grade with Patti, the love of his life. They were married in July of 1979 and built a life and family together filled with both challenges and many meaningful moments. Over time, their relationship changed, eventually becoming more of a friendship than a marriage, leading to their divorce in 2021. While the separation was difficult, it ultimately brought them closer in a different way. Patti was by his side when he passed—a quiet reflection of a love that never truly went away.

Mike had a deep curiosity about the world and a love of learning. He enjoyed watching Jeopardy! and always seemed to know a little bit about everything. There were often copies of Popular Mechanics lying around, and he had a natural ability to figure things out, fix things, or at least give it a shot. Early in his adult life, he served in the Wisconsin National Guard before moving into hands-on work, including time at Menards, Badger, and Interstate Roofing, where he built a reputation as someone who wasn’t afraid of hard work. That same work ethic carried into everything he did and became one of the many things he passed along—teaching by example the value of putting in the effort and seeing things through. He also taught those around him how to work with their hands, how to take a chance, and how to keep going even when life gets complicated. Like many families, not everything that was
felt was always said out loud, but there was never any doubt that the love was there. He also had a wild and fearless side. Known as “Birddog,” a nickname earned from a story that became family legend, he once climbed into a silo to flush out pigeons for his
friends—becoming the group’s “bird dog” in the most literal sense. That same boldness showed up in other stories, like water skiing on a canoe paddle or barefoot skiing. If something seemed just a little too crazy, there was a good chance he was willing to try it.

After his passing, tributes poured in—many describing him as a kind man with a calm presence, someone who would give anyone the shirt off his back, the last $20 in his pocket, or a ride across town at any hour. Many also shared stories of his well-known love for a cold PBR and his appreciation for flavored whiskeys—simple things that became part of how people remembered him.

His greatest love was his grandchildren—Charlotte (“Gumdrop”) and Ellie (“Taffy”), children of Nick and Erin Fellenz, and Aimsleigh (“Candybar”) and Lincoln (“Whiskey”), children of Michelle and Chad Powell. Those names captured how he loved—playful, personal, and completely his. When he was able, he was always there, whether it was an all-day wrestling meet, a school concert, or anything in between. He showed up. He also loved bringing them little “treasures” from his time working for his uncle’s tow company, Don’s Towing, cleaning out repossessed cars. To most, it may have looked like junk, but to the kids, it was
something special—and to him, it was another way to make them smile.

If you listen closely, you might still hear him in the moments that matter—in a joke that starts with, “How do you sell a duck to a deaf guy?”, in a story that takes its time, or in the familiar chorus of “Build Me Up Buttercup” sung at just the right (or wrong) moment. It’s in those small, unexpected echoes that his presence lives on.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lois and Donald Fellenz, and his brother Mark Fellenz.

He is survived by his children, Nick (Erin) Fellenz and Michelle (Chad) Powell; siblings Sally (Bob) Puent, Matt (Pam) Fellenz, Marty (Joanie) Fellenz, Butch (Tammy) Fellenz, Steve (Gina) Fellenz, and Paul (Michelle) Fellenz; grandchildren Charlotte and Ellie Fellenz, and Aimsleigh and Lincoln Powell; along with extended family and many friends.

A visitation will be from 10:00am – noon, Saturday, April 18, 2026, at The Gathering Place, 133 Mason St in Onalaska, followed by a memorial service and luncheon.

Condolences may be made to the family at CouleeCremation.com.

To livestream the service please download the Zoom app and click HERE