Michael H. Woelfel

Our beloved Mike Woelfel, Neenah, WI passed away on September 22, 2025.

He was born November 26, 1947, to the late Jerome F. and Eleanor Woelfel, and grew up on the family farm in New Holstein, WI. At Chilton High School he participated in track, football and baseball, graduating with the class of 1965. On June 14, 1968, he married his high school sweetheart, Susie Hackbarth. They raised an amazing daughter, Jenny, and shared 56 years together until her passing in 2024. After serving four years in the U.S. Air Force, they settled in Neenah.

He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Education and a Master's degree in Special Education at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. He then went on to teach Special Education at James Madison Middle School-Appleton for three years and 25 years at Appleton East High School, retiring in 2003. While earning his degree and during school breaks, he worked for Phillips Painting. In retirement, he did many projects at American Animal Hospital in Neenah and had a continuous list of projects for family and friends. And he always had a booth stocked of his woodworking projects at Cedar Ridge Crafts and Gifts in Neenah.

He was a kind, soft spoken teacher and self-taught master craftsman with a great sense of humor. He enjoyed Saturday movies with Jenny, eating dessert first, cottage time on Beaulieu Lake, was never late, loved trivia, watching tennis on TV, and was a voracious reader. His attire of choice was overalls, white t-shirt, plaid shirt and work shoes. The word "no" was rarely used in his vocabulary. He was an amazing woodworker and handyman and would find a way to make or fix almost anything. His hands were seldom idle, and made the most of every day he was given.

He was always proud to show off his latest project, but most of all he was so very proud of his Jenny. He said he often asked himself how he got such a wonderful daughter! And he said he could not have asked for a better son-in-law than her husband, Gary. He loved being a proud "Papa" to Grandson, Logan, and was so happy to welcome his wife, Gabi into the family, along with her parents and sister, Jon, Dawn and Jacki Bolwerk.

He faced his diagnosis of Stage 4 Pancreatic cancer with courage and a fierce determination to continue doing all the things he loved for as long as he could, never losing his sense of humor.

Mike is survived by daughter, Jennifer (Gary) Cutler, Neenah; grandson, Logan (Gabi Bolwerk), Superior, WI; five siblings: George (special friend, Flossie Walsdorf) Woelfel, New Holstein; Jerome A. (Sharon) Woelfel, Chilton; Jean (David) Haen, Palatine, IL; Susan A. Woelfel, Menasha; Christine Juckem, Menasha. In-laws: Richard Hackbarth; Kathy Slattery, Oshkosh; Karen (Doug) Bass, Florida; Nancy (Steve) Tomich, Milwaukee; Marilyn (Jim) Lenz, Green Bay; Janet Hackbarth, Bay View, and Dan Anderson.

He is further survived by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, other relatives, and friends. He also leaves behind his special fur baby, Pug Pearl, along with grand-dogs Lydia, "The Pug Brudderz," Oscar, Hank and Ernie; and great-grand-dogs Lilah and Odo.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Susan M. Woelfel; his parents: Jerome F. and Eleanor Woelfel; parents-in-law: Alfred and Margaret Hackbarth; sisters-in-law: Florence Woelfel and Barbara Anderson; and many fur babies.

A special thank you to his neighbors, especially Sandy and Phil; and Barbara Ann/Cedar Ridge Crafts & Gifts. The family would also like to thank the many medical teams who cared for him over the last year, including Theda Care at Home and Cherry Meadows Hospice.

A Celebration of Mike's Life will be held at 11:30 am on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at Kessler Fahrenkrug Funeral Home, 304 S. Commercial Street, Neenah, WI 54956. A Time of Gathering will be held from 9:30 am until the time of the Celebration. Inurnment will take place in St. Martin Heritage Park/St. Martin Cemetery, New Holstein, WI.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in memory of Michael H. Woelfel may be made to: St. Martin Heritage Park (mailing address W1140 Lime Kiln Road, New Holstein, WI 53061.)

Being your daughter has been one of my greatest privileges. You taught me more than I could ever put into words. I promise to continue to honor you by following your words of wisdom:

-Life is too short to eat crusts.

-There's always room for Jello.

-There's nothing like a cold beverage on a hot day.

-When you're up to your butt in alligators, don't worry about draining the swamp.

-If you love what you do, you'll never have to work a day in your life.

-Dessert First!

I will miss you forever, Father. Much love, your Fer.

Mike, you were the best brother a sibling could ask for! Our hearts are broken and you will not be forgotten. You live on in all the fine woodworking in our homes and all the special memories of our times together.

"Your life was a blessing, your memory a treasure, you are loved beyond words and missed beyond measure."