Michael "Jay" Nienhuis

Michael "Jay" Nienhuis 67, Wausau, found peace Monday, June 15, 2009 after a truly valiant eight year battle with cancer. Michael died under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services at Hospice House, Wausau. He was born April 2, 1942 in Holland, Michigan, son of William and Lyda (Nash) Nienhuis. Mike met Evie Tate at NTC's Learning Center at Federal Mogul in 1996 and they were married in Las Vegas in 1998. Michael served in the United States Army from 1965 to 1969 and then graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in industrial engineering. He worked at Donnelly in Holland, Mich. and Bastian Blessing in Grand Haven, Mich. as a purchasing agent before relocating to Stevens Point in 1986 to work at Joerns Healthcare. In 1994 Mike became the purchasing manager at (AE Goetz) Federal Mogul in Schofield until his illness ended his career in 2001. Mike had many hobbies, but his favorite was hunting. For the last six springs he traveled to Saskatoon, Canada to bow hunt bear even as he was struggling with cancer treatments. He also looked forward to deer hunting every fall with the Bunczak party in Bevent. Mike loved all dogs and his Brittany Spaniel, Spirit, was always at his side. Some of his other hobbies included nature photography, music from opera to Willie Nelson, reading suspense novels, watching basketball and football, especially Michigan State, Notre Dame and the Packers. Mike was a seasoned traveler, spending ten days in Beijing, China with Evie in 2000 and in 2006 spending 18 days in Thailand with his friend Dave Snyder. Mike was able to fix almost anything and took great pride in his work. He was happiest knowing he had put in a hard day's work, whether it was working in the yard, cutting firewood or painting a room. In the last few years he helped out at the auctions for Bunczak Realty and Auctions and enjoyed spending time with his neighbors, Sieg Lenk and Jim Costa. Everyone who knew Mike admired his will to live and his determination. He is survived by his beloved wife of 10 years, Evie Tate, a daughter, Megan; San Francisco, Calif.; a son, Michael II, Waukesha; step children, Serena Tate and Julian Tate, both of Brooklyn, New York; brothers, Rich, Holland, Mich. and Paul Joseph "PJ", Woodward, Iowa. Michael was preceded in death by his mother, Lyda and a brother, Robert. Private family services will be held at Lake Forest Cemetery, Grand Haven, Michigan. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Rezlan Islam for his many hours of research and the compassion shown to Mike and also to his staff, especially, Nora and Pat, for all the care, patience and support of Michael. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation to support research for a cancer cure or the Hospice House. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 3400 Stewart Avenue, Wausau, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com