Obituary
Michael (Senior) James Genz
Onalaska – Michael (Senior) James Genz, 66, passed away January 31st, 2022, peacefully at home with his family by his side, after a courageous short battle with cancer.
Mike was born July 5th, 1955 to Delores (Rinkle) & Fred Genz. He attended Immanuel Lutheran Grade School and graduated from Logan High School in 1973. In high school he met and later married his high school sweetheart, Cynthia Reekers. They married December 1974, and recently celebrated their 47th wedding anniversary. Mike was a lifelong member of Immanuel Lutheran Church.
Mike had a 46-year career in the beer industry. It began at Schultz Distributing in 1975. In 1986, he was hired at G. Heileman Brewery City Sales as a tap man with Matt Lusk. They were known as the M & M boys. Over the years, he held many different titles and positions, but he was very loyal throughout the different owners and name changes ending up at La Crosse Beverage. When City Brewery opened, he proudly signed on to help start up City Sales again. In 2007, Mike went back to his roots as a draft man and started his own successful business, Mike’s Complete Draft Service, until his recent retirement in October, 2021.
Mike was a true Northsider, growing up in Goose Green on Avon St. He was a talented ball player, playing baseball, fastpitch and slow-pitch softball. He was a faithful Green Bay Packers fan, no matter how many wins they had. He liked to fish, deer hunt and duck hunt with his family and friends and the stories were endless. Mike loved his hunting dogs and always had a black Labrador Retriever. One of his “daily chores” the last few years was to take his dog, Murphy, on a truck ride each day. In 1987, Mike and Cindy bought a boathouse in the Westside Boathouse Club. He loved going there with family and friends to relax and held many parties and had many good times.
Mike is survived by his beloved wife, Cindy and their two children, Amy (David) Delimat and Michael Genz Jr. (Kat Kaukl, fiancée) and his beloved grandson, Samuel Delimat. He is survived by his brother, Fred (Stephanie) Genz; his sisters, Lori Genz, and Julie (Brent) Miner and his Uncle Don Blank. Mike is further survived by his wife’s family, mother-in-law Elizabeth Reekers, sisters-in-law Corliss (Dave) Hicks, Cheryl (Alan) Hofer, Connie (Demetrius) Conner and brother-in-law Norman (Betty) Reekers. In addition, he is survived by his nieces and nephews Ben (Erin) Genz, Joshua (Rachel) Genz, Shannon Genz, Sophia Miner, John Hicks (Crystal Taylor fiancée), Kelsey (Shawn) Smith, Cheri Connor and Michael (Farrah) Connor along with their children as well as many cousins and many great friends.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Delores, and father-in-law, Vernon Reekers.
Services will be held Saturday, February 12th, 2022, at Immanuel Lutheran Church 1201 Avon St, La Crosse, WI. Pastor David Leistekow will be officiating. Visitation will be held at 9:30am until time of service at 11:00am, with a small luncheon following the service at Immanuel Lutheran School. A private family burial will be held at Onalaska Cemetery at a later date. The family requests memorials be given to Immanuel Lutheran Church La Crosse, WI or to a charity of your choice.
The family would like to say thank you to the Gundersen Health System Oncology Department, as well as the Hospice Team and Dr. James Munn for their great care. Also, a special thank you to Pastor David Leistekow.
Mike wanted to share a special note to friends and relatives. “It’s been a hoot. See you in Heaven, love you all.”
“Northside Rules”
Thoughts and prayers with all of you at this time.
I remember the days in Jaycees with Mike, playing softball and the Haunted House.
Our sincere sympathies and prayers to the family. Mike was a card and enjoyed teasing everyone. RIP Mike.
We are truly going to miss your smiling face !! Thanks for the 30 plus years of knowing you ?
Cindy & family, I am so very sorry for your loss. I hope you’ll know how much Mike will be missing. He helped me with our dept. Seafood festival.. just another one of his forgotten good will gestures. I can’t believe it’s been 47yrs, since high school. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Hugs.
I would have loved to spend more time with you and the rest of the family! Forever in our prayers! Until we meet again!
Cindy & family….so very sorry for your loss. Mike was a great man & will be missed. Sending prayers for all.
My deepest sympathies to Mike’s family. I grew up in the same neighborhood and went to high school with Mike. Loved his humor and kindness. And, it was awesome to reconnect in later years through the L&M family. I am so blessed to have known Mike and his family. Prayers to all.
To the mike Genz family
Sorry for your loss he will be missed he was always a happy man when I seen him he loved his family I loved watching him play softball with his long legs all his team members were nice he loved his dogs always willing to help out
Rest In Peace mike
Sincerest condolences to Mike Genz family. Shared many trivia moments w/Mike on past operators of fermented beverage outlets. Gates of Heaven will welcome it’s newest draft specialists.
Cindy, Mike, Amy….My condolences….RIP Mike
Sincerest condolences to Mike Genz family. Shared many trivia moments w/Mike on past operators of fermented beverage outlets. Gates of Heaven will welcome it’s newest draft specialists.
Sad to hear about Mike, will always have fond memories from our softball days on Friday nights.
I graduated with Mike. I remember him as a very nice guy. My Sincere Sympathy to Mike’s Family.
Cindy and family.
Our profound sympathy on the loss of Mike.
Dear Genz family – So sorry to learn of Mike’s passing. He was one of the good guys… God’s peace to you and all who loved him.
Having just learned of Senior’s passing I wish to convey my sympathy to his family. Knowing him for only a brief time I quickly realized he was a kind man always having a moment to share a greeting and fun to listen to.
I am so sorry for your loss, my prayers are with you all. Cherish your memories, he will live in your hearts forever?
From one Northsider to another, RIP Mike. Condolences to family. I had organized many softball tournaments at Copeland Park over the years.
Beer Tents were always a major part of the atmosphere. I would discuss our needs with Mike and he took it from there.
Mike enjoyed so many aspects of family and life, he will be missed by all who knew him.
Tom Fuchs
Our prayers go out to Mike’s family. He was a nice guy to be around. Always smiling and happy. ?
Cindy,
I’m so sorry to learn of your family’s loss. How truly heart breaking for y’all. I will keep you in my prayers.
Gerriann
Cindy and family…..I am so sorry to hear this news. Please know I am sending my sympathy and saying a prayer for you.
Sorry sorry to hear this. Mike was always my go to on anything beer related. A true gentleman.
Cindy, our condolences to you and your family. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Our sincere sympathy on the loss of Mike. He was a special person who will be missed.