Obituary
Michael Robert McKinney
Michael Robert McKinney, 77, of Onalaska finally went home to his see his friend, Jesus, on July 30, 2025, at the Mayo Medical Center in La Crosse, WI.
Mike was born to Robert and Helen McKinney in Minnesota on January 20, 1948. As their first-born son of eight children, he enjoyed a Christian upbringing.
He graduated from Holmen High School in 1966 and played football his senior year where he won all conference. He attended Nebraska Bible College where he wooed Patricia with his piano playing and married her on August 24, 1968. Eventually they moved to Wisconsin where he worked different jobs before finally landing a job at the Burlington Northern Railroad where he earned the title of “Iron Mike”. He was a hard worker, often delivering pizza and reading meters in addition to running the train. He enjoyed hobbies like metal detecting for coins, playing cards, listening to oldies’ music, playing boogie music on the piano, ice fishing, camping and wood working. Iron Mike was a gentle giant who never drank and never swore but chose to share the simple things in life with his family: teaching cribbage to his grandchildren, playing Scrabble, puzzles, crossword puzzles, word searches, and telling clean, funny jokes. In this unstable world, he was a solid anchor, a stable influence in his family’s lives. He and Patty lived in the country in Houston County for 15 years. During that time, he won a safety award from BNSF when he potentially saved lives by reporting a compromised bridge before the train behind him crossed over it. He worked for the railroad for 37 1/2 years.
When his wife died after 50 years of marriage, he lived in the La Crosse, Onalaska area where he joined the Giving Hearts Choir and spent time with his grandchildren and family. He was a model of humility, patience and love by always giving and receiving hugs, listening and encouraging others around him, and joking and laughing with his family.
He will be missed by all.
He is survived by two sisters and three brothers: Patricia Cashen, Mark (Barb), Ted (Julie), Roberta (Mark) Mangano and Andrew; His children: Jeramy and (Meri) McKinney with their children Jessica (Steve) Navarro, Hannah, Jordan, and Ryan; daughter Shannon McKinney and husband Larry Schneider with children Madeleine, Samuel, Michelle, Benjamin, John, Luke, Lucy, and Gabriel; Michael McKinney and wife Sierra with children Charlie, Ella, Oliver Owen and Sam, and daughter Vanessa McKinney. He has three great-grandchildren: Paisley, Nehemiah and Camden.
He was preceded in death by his parents Robert and Helen (Vogt), brother Timothy, and little sister Barbara McKinney and his wife Patricia (Bigley).
A visitation is scheduled for Sunday, August 10, 2025, from 2:30-4:00 at River’s Harvest Church in Onalaska
with the service at 4:00 p.m.
A reception will follow from 5:30-7:30pm., at The Gathering Place, 133 Mason St. in Onalaska.
Coulee Region Cremation Group is assisting the family. Please visit CouleeCremation.com to send a condolence to the family.
Mike was a wonderful brother-in-law and friend. I enjoyed being around him. He has been one of my favorite brother-in-laws. I will miss him greatly!