Obituary
Michael “Mike” Stanek
Michael “Mike” Stanek, 74, died peacefully on Thursday, January 13th, 2022 at Gundersen Medical Center with his loving family by his side. He was born on October 11th, 1947, in La Crosse, WI, the only child of Wenzel and Helen (Trehus) Stanek. Mike attended Aquinas High School where he graduated in 1965. He then attended the University of Wisconsin La Crosse where he completed his bachelor’s degree in Business and Political Science.
While attending college, Mike served in the United States Army Reserve, Co C 389 Engr Bn. He also began working for the Burlington Northern Railroad. After graduation he continued working with the railroad and retired after 40 years as a locomotive engineer.
He met the love of his life, Barbara Leisgang while attending high school. He was a year older than her and even taught her how to drive. Legends say it was quite the feat!! Their whirlwind romance blossomed into marriage, and they wed on September 27th, 1969. Mike and Barb loved to travel. Their adventures would often lead them to casinos. After they retired, they wintered in Florida where they both enjoyed getting away from Wisconsin winters. They were devoted to each other for 52 years.
Mike loved the Mississippi River. He spent many happy days boating, duck hunting, and camping on the sand bars. He and Barb built their dream home on the banks of the river he loved. He enjoyed his days golfing with his buddies and watched as many Packer and Brewer games as he could.
Mike was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He would never miss any family event and he could always be heard cheering from the sidelines or giving a standing ovation. He was fiercely proud of his children and grandchildren.
Mike was a loyal friend. He loved hard and his contagious laugh always brought smiles to everyone’s face. He had a nickname for most everyone and everyone had one for him. Many of his best friends he had known since his high school and his railroad days. He continued to make new friends during his travels through life. He truly was one of a kind.
Left to remember his love and honor his memory are his wife Barbara (Leisgang) Stanek; his two daughters, Melissa (Stephen) Copps of La Crosse, and Gina (Bradley) Hanzel of Jordan, MN; as well as his two granddaughters; Elizabeth and Katherine Copps, and his two grandsons; William and Henry Hanzel. Mike was preceded in death by his father, Wenzel and his mother, Helen.
A celebration of his life will be held on Friday, January 21st, 2022, at The Gathering Place from 1-3 pm with a short service starting at 3pm. Refreshments and light fare will be served immediately following at 4pm. The Gathering Place is located at 133 Mason Street, Onalaska, WI 54650.
Deeply loved, proudly remembered and so very missed. May your infectious smile and boisterous laugh resonate through the heavens.
The family requests that memorials be made to the Wenzel “Blackie” Stanek Scholarship Fund at Western Technical College.
Dear Barb, Melissa, Steve, Gina, Brad and Grandchildren.
Gus and I are so sorry to hear of Mike’s passing. He sure fought a good fight. We go back to the 60’s high school days, 70’s with Railroad days with many wonderful memories. You always knew when Mike was near with his voice, laugh and smile. He was just a great man that will be deeply missed !
With Sympathy, Linda & Gus Paulson
Our deepest sympathy. Bill and Donna Devic
Oh dear Barb, Gina and Melissa, I am so very sorry for your loss. Mike, your husband/dad, was a very special man, and your description of him is so true to life. His smile and genuine character was always so warm and welcoming. I’m sure he will be greatly missed by you and many others. He was a good man, and is now at peace in his heavenly home. Treasure your memories of him, until you meet again. Love, Terri(Olson) Moore???
So sorry to see the passing of Mike. We shared so many good times while growing up. Playing games at out houses, playing ball, going fishing with his dad, all experiences filled with laughs. Though going our separate ways we occasionally would cross paths and I was always rewarded with Mike’s special “laugh” and warm smile. A true friend always! RIP my friend.
Worked many long trips to Chicago in a locomotive cab with Mike on the railroad. You had to be there to appreciate how he excelled as an Engineer.
On the golf course he exhibited modesty with his many really good shots, and laughed off the bad ones. Loudly !
Loved family, friends and life. Gone too soon, RIP Mike
so sorry for your loss Barb . i hope you can get past this and that the year is alot better! Mike is in my prayers!
Sympathy and prayers to you and your family, Barb. May he Rest In Peace.
Maureen (Dahms) Tekippe
Our deepest sympathy thinking of you at this time prayers are with you …. Rita Hutzenbuehler and Family
Mike was such a sweet man. And you could see how much he loved his family always. He will be missed.
My sympathy to Barb and the family. He was a smiling and friendly classmate at Aquinas.
Just recv the news on Mike’s passing he was a great friend thru or high school days and during our careers on the railroad. Words can not explain how I feel about his passing. Barb, my sincere condolences to you and your family
Mike was such a wonderful man. His smile was contagious. We had such good times with Barb during our show choir travels. It was fun to bring Barb home and find Mike washing the floors and having dinner ready for her. He was always there to help. His family is blessed as am I to have had him in their and my life. Rest in peace Mike.
All I can say is there is tremendous sadness in my heart but knowing Mike is in Heaven with family and especially Willard brings a smile to my face. God Bless you Mike…MY FRIEND.
So saddened to hear this news. Our sincere sympathies to Mike’s family. RIP classmate
It is difficult to express the depth of my sadness at Mike’s passing, Mike (and Barb) were so welcoming when Steve, Sr. and I moved to LaCrosse in 2013. Mike’s smile was magical, as was his warmth and good nature. He was totally committed to his family—children, grandchildren, in-laws and cousins! Watching him interact with those he loved was a lesson for all of us. He will be sorely missed.
Very special guy; we are all lucky to have him in our lives.
Mike was a very special man with a very loving wife. He was a true joy to be around. Our condolences to the entire family.
I worked as Mikes cond . at times on bnsf enjoyed him. We moved to CC tx on retirement day Larry Kraft.
Barb, we are so sorry about Mike..he wast truly a great guy..wish we could Hug you all right now..love to all Snook and Carol..carol
I’ll truly miss Mike and his always calling me “Goldie” (he and I knew where that came from). We worked together, had a beer together, and played cards together. These are some of the memories from the BNSF I treasure and still dream of!
RIP Mike and condolences to Barb and your family.
We were so sorry to hear the news. While it has been many years since we crossed paths, the memories are still fresh and vivid. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Barb and family:
Our sincerest condolences! Bud has many fond memories & good laughs of times he shared with Mike in the Army Reserves!
My deepest sympathies to you and your family! I’ve known Melissa for years as her stylist and have come to appreciate the many stories and love your family has for one another. What a beautiful testament to both you and your husband. Love and Prayers for you all!
We are deeply sorry for the loss of Mike. We will miss his warm smile and friendly greeting. You are in our thoughts.
So sorry to hear of Mikes passing. He will be missed by all who knew him. You’re in our thoughts and prayers.
So very sorry for your loss Barb and family. Mike’s smile is what I always remember. Thinking of you in the days ahead . Rest In Peace, dear Mike
So sorry to hear of Mike’s passing. One of the good guys! RIP Mike.
RIP my friend. Thanks for the great memories
Barb, Julie and I will always remember Mike as one of the truly good guys . I can’t fathom your loss. Jim and Julie
Mike and I met when we were 13 and remained great friends through the years. I am saddened by his passing and Karolyn and I send our deepest condolences to Barb, Melissa, Gina and the rest of the Stanek family.
When we were 14 Mike, myself and 12 other guys spent a week camping on the river. None of our parents had any qualms about letting us go. It was a different time. We spent the majority off our time on a sandbar across the river from Fountain City. We launched off for our adventure (6 boats) from Chut’s Landing. Mike’s mother made a bon voyage cake and sent it down for the launch. We all flew a skull and crossbones flags from our boats. Huck Finn!
I was a groomsmen in Mike and Barb’s wedding at a time I was wearing my hair long. Barb, very sheepishly, asked me if I would get it cut for the wedding. I did. It was important to Barb and not important to me.
Over the years Mike and I duck hunted together, played golf and attended a lot of dinners and other social events together. He was a good and fun companion. I shall miss him.
One especially fun thing about Mike was when we would get in a raucous conversation you could hear his big voice and even bigger laugh from a long way away. And he had some doozy opinions that he freely shared.
Mike was a good family man and generally a kind and tolerant man. He understood the human condition and did not hold anybody’s imperfections against them.
Goodbye, Mike.
Terry Collins
Barb and family,
I was so sad to hear about Mike’s passing. We graduated from Aquinas together and were in the same Army reserve unit. Even though we may not have seen each other for years, when I’d run into Mike, it was like we were the closest of friends. He had a way of making a person feel that they were special. He had a great welcoming smile.
My deepest condolences.
Barb and family,
Kathy and I would express our deepest sympathies on Mike’s passing. He was a wonderful man and friend . We are also very sorry we could not make the service as we are out of town.
Barb, I am so very sorry for your loss! I remember your stories when we worked together years ago! You and Mike had something so special! You were truly blessed. My thoughts and prayers go to you and your family to help you get through this very difficult time. Take good care.
Like many others I grew up with Mike. We hung out and did all the stuff Jeff mentioned. I had the opportunity to be one of the gang doing the Mississippi boat trip Terry mentioned. After high school our paths separated for awhile. Well into retirement, I ran into Mike and Barb at Schmidty’s while rallying with the Collins’. I discovered my wife, Tippi, and I were only 20 miles apart during the winters in Florida. We reconnected and had many fond experiences.
Our prayers go out to Barb and the entire family. Mike was and will always be an honorable, straight shooter and will be missed by all of us who had the opportunity to be a part of his journey.