Mike Funk, age 77, of Ogdensburg, Wisconsin, passed away on February 12, 2016 in Waupaca.
He was born on June 6, 1938 in Watertown, Wisconsin to the late E.H. and Irene (Michaels) Funk. Moving to Appleton with his family in 1942, Mike attended Roosevelt Jr. High School in Appleton and was a 1956 graduate of Appleton High School. He proudly served his country as a Weather Observer in the United States Air Force from 1956 to 1960, stationed in Paris, France. On August 26, 1961, he married Jeanne Tornow at First English Lutheran Church in Appleton; the love of his life preceded him in death on June 7, 2011.
Mike was a 1966 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. He earned his Master of Teaching Degree in 1980. A history teacher, Mike began his career at Cross Plains, was at Appleton High School for a year, and from 1969 to his retirement in 1996, he taught at Appleton East High School. His career in education spanned over 33 years, and he was named Teacher of the Year three times. Mike also acted as an advisor to the Student Congress. Following his retirement, he lived in Appleton and enjoyed his cottage at Blue Mountain Lake near Ogdensburg. Moving to Blue Mountain Lake permanently, he was an avid fisher and hunter. He also enjoyed being a fan of the Packers, Badgers and Brewers; loved Springer Spaniels, especially Zoe, Ginger, Maggie, Misty, and Freckles. Mike was a faithful member of First English Lutheran Church in Appleton and most recently of First Lutheran Church in Ogdensburg.
Survivors include his sons, Rob and Steve Funk; his sister, Janice (Larry) Babcock, and his sisters-in-law, Jean Funk and Kay Tornow; his nephews, Todd, Scot, and Blaine Tornow, Matt and Brad Prell; and his nieces, Rebecca Hopkins, Martha Funk (fiancé Ken Veldman) and Sarah Morgan. Mike was preceded in death by his brother, Richard Funk, and his brother-in-law, Roger Tornow.
Memorial services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 20, 2016, at First Lutheran Church, 700 Main Street, Ogdensburg with Rev. Karen Reimer officiating. Friends may call directly at the church on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of services. Interment will be in Highland Memorial Park, Appleton. The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to Dr. Earl Anderson and his staff; Dr. Cheng and Dr. Phillips; the staff at Riverside Hospital; Theda Care Hospice; and Crossroads Nursing Center, for their loving care. A memorial has been established in Mike’s name to benefit the Iola Nutrition Center. Online condolences may be offered at www.wichmannfargo.com