Obit: Kutchera,  Michael Thomas (1959 - 2011)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon

Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Kutchera, Zingshiem, Bedell, Kortbein, Johnson, Smith, Bourke, Jannsen, Joseph

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI.) December 7, 2011

Kutchera, Michael Thomas (13 October 1959 - 1 December 2011) With Flag

Mike Kutchera, 52, of Neillsville died Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011, at the Memorial Medical Center in Neillsville.

Michael Thomas Kutchera was born Oct. 13, 1959, in Eau Claire, the son of Robert and Jean (Zingshiem) Kutchera.  He attended elementary school in Fairchild and graduated from Osseo-Fairchild high School in 1977.  On Oct. 21, 1977, Mike enlisted into the United States Navy and served as a Gunner Mate.  After his honorable discharge Oct. 19, 1981, he returned home and worked on the railroad, with his brother Joe, for a summer.  He also worked at the Neillsville Foundry, Tiffany’s Lumber Mill in Whitehall and Weathershield in Greenwood. Mike was united in marriage to Patricia Bedell May 10, 1997, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Neillsville.

He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church.  He loved to hunt and fish and was an avid Green Bay Packer, Milwaukee Brewer and Wisconsin Badger fan.  Mike will be sadly missed by his family and friends.  He always saw the good in people and he was the kind of person that would give you the shirt off his back at a moment’s notice.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia; a daughter, Shanda of Washington; a step-daughter, Angela Bedell of Wausau; and he was proud to be the grandfather of Madelyn Bedell. Mike is also survived by his father, Bob Kutchera of Fairchild; nine siblings, Becky (Brian) Kortbein of Fairchild, Bob (Debbie) Kutchera of Osseo, Jeff (Fiancé Mylet Johnson) of Lyons, NE, Pat (Patti) Kutchera of Fairchild, Jeanie (Jeff) Smith of Fairchild, Joe (Lori) Kutchera of Augusta, Julie (John) Bourke of Marathon, John (Sheila) Kutchera of Humbird and mary (Friend, Rick Jannsen) of Osseo, along with numerous nieces and nephews and aunts and cousins.

Mike was preceded in death by his mother, Jean Kutchera and grandparents, Glenn and Celia Kutchera and Joe and Amelia Zingshiem.

The Mass of Christian Burial for Mike was held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2011, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Neillsville with the Celebrant Rev. Varkey V. Joseph. Interment was in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Neillsville, with Military honors accorded by the Neillsville Veteran’s Council. Visitation was from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. with a 7:30 p.m. Rosary service, Monday, at the Georgas Funeral Home and from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Catholic Church.

Casketbearers were his brothers Bob, Jeff, Pat, Joe and John Kutchera.

Online condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com.

The Gesche Funeral Home assisted Mike’s family with funeral arrangements.