Michael LaNou

1951 - 2025

Michael LaNou

June 4, 1951 - October 23, 2025

Michael Joseph LaNou died on October 23, 2025 after a 3.5 year battle with eccrine porocarcinoma, at his home in Chetek under the care of St. Croix Hospice.

He was born June 4, 1951 to Norman and Joyce (Metzenbauer) LaNou. He attended St. Olaf Catholic School and graduated from North High School in 1969.

After graduation Mike joined the National Guard and was a Chaplain's Assistant for 2 years. He was a patriot and loved flying the American flag.

He started his Homebuilding career as a teenager helping his father Norm and brother Bob build and remodel houses primarily on the North Side of Eau Claire. In 1992 he began his own business Mike LaNou Homebuilders Inc. He was known for his work ethic, meticulous attention to detail, and fine craftsmanship. He "retired" in 2016 but continued to help his friends and family with his building skill and expertise.

Mike and Laurie (Stromwall) married in 1989. He started building their current retirement home on Muskrat Lake in Chetek in 2022, and he was able to enjoy his dream and vision of living on the water in the peaceful Northwoods. Prior to that he lived on the Chippewa River in Eau Claire for over 30 years where he could be seen walking or riding his bike daily through the City Wells with his beloved Airedale terrier, Albert.

Mike loved people and never went anywhere where he did not know someone. He cherished his Breakfast Clubs throughout the years and had several lifelong friends that he continued to meet and share laughs with even up to the end. He was an avid reader and strived to learn new things. One of his favorite places to visit was Mackinac Island, MI.

Mike is survived by his wife Laurie; his 3 children, Andy, Ashley Miller (Robert), and Samantha (Matt Immerman); his 3 grandchildren, Gabriel and Grace Rodriguez, and Caleb Iversen; brother Bob (Mary); sisters Connie (Pong Phoneprasert) and Vickie; brother-in-laws Gary Hubbard and Dick Stromwall (Jane); and sister-in-law Layne Stromwall (Gerry Hess). He is also survived by many other cherished relatives and friends including Jim Fletty and Brian Freid who lovingly helped him at his new home with any project he needed after he became ill. He will also be dearly missed by Ethel, his Westie terrier.

Mike was predeceased by his parents Norman and Joyce, his sister Cindy, in-laws Donna and Jack Stromwall, brother-in-law John Stromwall and his best buddy Albert.

He will be laid to rest in a private family ceremony at Prairie View Cemetery in Chippewa Falls, WI. To honor his wishes there will be no other services.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Al-Hattab and the oncology staff at Mayo Clinic along with the care team at St. Croix Hospice, especially his Nurse Keisha who helped Mike along this difficult journey.

Memorials can be directed to any Humane Society or Animal Rescue in honor of Mike's love for animals.

Burnham-Ours Funeral Home of Chetek is assisting the Family with arrangements.