Michael M. Ellenz, 53 was brought into the hands of the Lord on December 15th, 2016 at Gundersen Lutheran Hospital with his family at his side. Mike fought a courageous battle against malignant melanoma since May of 2013. If you ran into Mike during this time, you would not have even known he had this terrible disease as he did not want to distress others or have them worry about him. Mikey made a point to maintain his positive attitude up to his final hours and kept all of us together throughout this hard and difficult time.

Michael was born September 2nd, 1963 in La Crosse at St. Francis Hospital to Patricia Ellenz (Gary Schultz) and Terry Ellenz (Sherry). Graduating from Onalaska High School in 1981, he became a proud member of the Marines and served three years. Semper Fi. He still remembered stories from his high school and military days and loved to hear about them.

After the Marines, from the mid 1980s, for over 25 years, Mike’s proudest work achievement was to build from scratch a successful janitorial business named Elco Janitorial, Inc. that served hundreds of La Crosse area locations and kept all of our retail store floors nice and shiny. Employing over 500 people throughout it’s business lifecycle, Mike was always proud knowing that he gave many a chance at employment when others did not. Some workers lasted an hour, some workers lasted twenty years, but for sure, many of these work / friend relationships survive to this day.
In recent years, Michael found a new passion of auctioneering, and you could always find Michael engaged in a bidding war at auctions, as his sharp mind and sense of value allowed him to respectfully gain many new friends in the area’s antiquing circles. He loved talking about and showing off his latest discovery!

Michael has two children, a son Jeff (fiancee Megan) Ellenz and daughter Brittany Ellenz (Matt) of Lakewood, Wisconsin. He was extremely proud of his two children and he let them know it everyday. Michael also maintained a friendly relationship with the mothers of both Jeff (Diane Dresdow) and Brittany (Danielle Mazza) throughout the years.

In 1995, Michael married Patricia Delaney and they shared many special times, vacationing, working side by side at Elco and hosting many family celebrations. Although later divorcing, they still cared about each other .

In 2011, Michael met a wonderful lady, Karla Garves (son Hayden), and she has been by his side both before and after his diagnosis. Maintaining a special relationship until his last days, Karla helped Mike throughout much of his illness.

Survivors include his two brothers, Mark (Michelle) of Springfield, Illinois, children Samantha Rae Martin and Jacob Ellenz; Tim (Pam) of Holmen, children Josh, Justin, Jasin, Amber and Annie. Also surviving is his little sister Tracy (Dave) Frosch of Sauk City, Wisconsin, children Carley (his auction partner/protege) and Joe. He is also survived by his maternal grandparents Ray and Betty Feyen and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Michael was preceded in death by an infant sister Theresa Ann, and his paternal grandparents Margaret and Albert Ellenz. Furthermore, Michael was preceded by several pets, with his most beloved lifelong Golden Retriever Jazmine, who we know is already by his side.
Michael and the family would like to thank Aunt Jeanne and Pastor Scott Skogen for helping us out tremendously over the last few weeks. They have both been a rock for us and have made Mike’s journey easier for him.
He was taken from us much too soon and we will all miss him.
A celebration of life service will be held on Monday, December 19, 2016 at 7:00 pm with a visitation from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm at the Coulee Region Cremation Group, 133 Mason St., Onalaska. Pastor Scott Skogen will officiate.