Michael Gordon "Mike" Sharpee

1960 - 2025

Michael "Mike" Gordon Sharpee

January 8, 1960 - June 2, 2025

Michael "Mike" Gordon Sharpee passed away unexpectedly on June 2, 2025.

Mike was born on January 8, 1960, to Louis and Mary (Caldwell) Sharpee. Mike beat all the odds as an infant by overcoming spinal meningitis, after doctors had told his parents to prepare for the worst. It would seem that Mike decided right then and there that he was going to make the most out of life! And all those who knew him know that he did just that!

Mike was raised on the family farm in Rio, Wisconsin. At the young age of five, Mike boarded the bus for his first day of kindergarten, put his hands in the air, and exclaimed, "Hi, I'm Mike Sharpee!" He carried this same enthusiasm and no-fear attitude every day of his life. Mike continued to take that rural school bus until graduating from Columbus High School in 1978. After graduation, Mike wasted no time officially entering the family business of farming, alongside his father and older brother, Ron.

With his business savvy, his extreme work ethic, and his special way with people, Mike ran his farming operation and his trucking business, Sharpee Trucking, with the family farm as home base for all of his endeavors.

One of Mike's proudest accomplishments was when, in 1984, he became a father to Abby. He was then blessed with a son, Joshua, in 1989 when Mike married his wife of 35 years, Vicki. Mike brought the city girl to the farm, which they perfectly characterized for friends and family at their wedding reception with their surprise rendition of the theme song from "Green Acres." Mike and Vicki raised their family just a mile away from where Mike grew up, and they fulfilled their dreams of making the family farm their own, where they lived together until his passing.

Being a father came naturally to Mike, and there was never a question about how much he loved his children. This love was multiplied by four over the years when he became grandpa to Gracin, Simon, Annika, and Wheldon. Children were drawn to Mike, perhaps because they could tell that he was still a kid at heart. He became the beloved "Uncle Mike" to nieces, nephews, and scores of other children in the rural community, many of whom his mother babysat, over the years.

If you knew Mike, you knew that his zest for life was almost unmatched. Mike could fix any car, truck, semi, motorcycle, snowmobile, or tractor, mainly because he had either rolled one or wrecked one. Mike epitomized, literally and figuratively, "full throttle." Likely, Mike was responsible for every gray hair on his mother's head, and subsequently the same could be said for Vicki's.

But Mike's favorite times were those spent with friends and family. The snowmobiling adventures up north, the weekly slot car races, the annual trips to deer camp and the Indianapolis 500, weekends spent on Lake Camelot and the Badger football and hockey games over the years were all meaningless without having loved ones along with him for the ride. Whether on water or land, Mike was always up for a beer (or two, or three) and good conversation. He was the embodiment of someone who would never hesitate to help a person in need. If you met Mike once, you were a friend for life.

Mike left us all way too soon, but he leaves behind two lifetimes worth of stories, which will be shared for years to come. Mike's legacy will continue through his wife, children, and grandchildren, who were truly the lights of his life. Mike is survived by his wife, Vicki; children, Abby (Alex) Albrecht and Joshua (Lacey) Steckel; and grandchildren, Gracin, Wheldon, Simon, and Annika. He is further survived by his siblings, Ronald (Debra) Sharpee and Susan Sharpee; his brothers-in-law, Dennis Kindschy, Gregg (Debra) Pustaver, and Mark (Myra) Pustaver; and his father-in- law, Frank Pustaver. Mike was preceded in death by his parents; mother-in-law, Gayle Pustaver; sister-in-law, Dana Pustaver; and younger sister, Kathy Kindschy.

Mike was a lifelong member of Spring Prairie Lutheran Church in Keyeser, Wisconsin. He was baptized, confirmed, married, and will be laid to rest there.

Memorial services will be held at the church on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Rick Bursh officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held Friday, June 6, 2025, from 3 to 6 p.m., also at the church, and again from 9 a.m. until the time of the funeral.

Mike's journey on this earth was marked by love, compassion, and faith. If you wish to make a memorial, please consider donating to Spring Prairie Lutheran Church. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:7-8)