Michael "Mike" R. Breese

Michael R. “Mike” Breese, 65, Wausau passed away on Tuesday, October 19, 2021, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.

He was born November 11, 1955, in Phelps, son of Stephanie (Kukanich) Breese, Wausau and the late Richard Breese.  On July 29, 1989, he married Susan Sparks at St. Anne Catholic Church, Wausau.  She survives.

Mike was employed at Fiskars as a buyer and warehouse manager for 23 years. It was there that he met the love of his life, Susan. Mike had planned to be a bachelor all his life.  However, after four years of dating Susan wore him down. Mike welcomed Susan and her daughters into his home and heart and later expanded their family with the addition of two boys. 

Mike was a jack of all trades, and as his son Ben would say, “my dad can fix anything.” Mike grew up in the Northwoods and had a connection to the outdoors and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and camping. He was a teacher and a mentor and passed many skills and lessons onto his children and grandchildren.

Mike was always quick to make a friend and help anyone in need. He had an outstanding sense of humor, and most members of the family had fallen victim to one of his pranks. He was humble, accepting, and easy going.

In 1995 and 2018 Mike received life-saving organ transplants. These selfless gifts allowed him to celebrate 26 more amazing years of life. Mike and his family are forever grateful and have a tremendous amount of gratitude for both the donors and their families.

Survivors include his loving wife, Susan Breese, Wausau, his mother, Stephanie Breese, Wausau, his children, Jennifer Joannon, Wausau, Sarah (Mark) Schroeder, Edgar, Ben (Amalia Becker) Breese and Sam (Alyse) Breese, both of Madison, his grandchildren, Jacob, Jared, Joshua and Jaden Joannon and Carly Barthels and Lily, Norah and Emmett Schroeder, his siblings, Barb Breese, Marc Breese and Matt (Krista) Breese all of Wausau and nieces and nephews.

Besides his father he was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Moses Sparks, his brother-in-law, Tony Sparks and his faithful four-legged companions, Wilson and Buddy.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 26, 2021, at Church of the Holy Name of Jesus, Wausau.  The Rev. Samuel Martin will preside.  Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery, Village of Maine.  Visitation will be held on Monday from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau.  There will be a parish rosary service at 6:45 p.m. Monday evening at the Sixth Street funeral home.  To the respiratory therapists, nurses, and physicians at Aspirus Wausau Hospital for their recent care of Mike:  We will be forever grateful for the protection, compassion and support you provided to both Mike and our family.  Ensuring that he was able to hear our last messages to him is a gift that we will forever cherish. YOU are the greatest heroes, and we thank you for your service to humanity.  A personal thank you to Dr. Bret Stysly for your communication, kindness, and truly heartfelt concern for our family. 

To honor Michael the family requests that funds be directed to:

UW OTD Donor Fund-Hope, Meet Gratitude Research Fund- https://www.supportuw.org/

Donate Life Wisconsin- https://donatelifewisconsin.org/

Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com