Michael R. `Mike` Stanek
Michael R. `Mike` Stanek
Michael R. “Mike” Stanek, of Caledonia Township, passed away on Wednesday, February 5, 2025.
He was a 1991 graduate of Hillsboro High School and furthered his education by obtaining a master’s degree from Washington State University in Science and Agriculture.
Mike Stanek, 51, loved the land and worked hard to help others take care of it. He was a Wisconsin State Agronomist for the NRCS, a Farm Manager for the Dairy Forage Research Center and worked for the Sauk County Land Conservation Department. His many farming talents included raising chickens, beef and pigs, beekeeping, gardening, and taxidermy. It came in handy on their land in the Baraboo Hills that he could fix anything and was a master tinkerer. Others enjoyed that he was an excellent grill master, and his daughter even dressed up as him for “BBQ dad” day during Spirit Week last year.
He loved being out of doors whether he was camping in his RV, fishing or hunting. Some of his favorite places were Potters Flowage, Turtle Flambeau and his beloved home in the Baraboo Hills. His daughter, Emmy, will always be his pride and joy. He loved spending time taking her for motorcycle rides, riding the 4-wheeler in the woods and going turkey and deer hunting. He was also really good at telling bad dad jokes.
Mike is survived by his wife of 27 years, Jenny, his daughter, Emmy, parents, Darrell and Judy Stanek of Hillsboro, brothers, Aaron (Wanda) Stanek of Necedah, Bryan (Jamie) Stanek of Baraboo, in-laws, Gary and Pat Hudson of Madison, brother-in-law, Kevin (Tara) Hudson of Oregon and many loved nieces, nephews and extended family.
A Celebration of Life will take place at the Baraboo Arts Banquet Center, 323 Water St., Baraboo, on Thursday, February 13, 2025 at 1 p.m. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 10 a.m. until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family to be used toward multiple charities in Mike’s name. The Redlin-Ertz Funeral Home is assisting the family.
Condolences
Lori Stanek February 07, 2025
Cousin Hillsboro , Wisconsin
Darrel, Judy and families we send our most sincere sympathies to you. Al and I are thinking of you all and praying for you.
Shirley Turnipseed February 08, 2025
Aunt Baraboo , Wisconsin
I am So sorry. I love you all.
Sue (Siegman) Stewart February 08, 2025
2nd Cousin West Bend , Wisconsin
Judy, Darrell and family, my deepest sympathy. Michael was so young. My heart breaks for all of you.
Mary Stanuch February 08, 2025
Family friend Grasonville , Maryland
My prayers and condolences go out to Mike's family. My kids still talk about their visits to Deer Camp when they were little. He was an amazing man and will be so very missed.
Darrell & LaTina Thomas February 08, 2025
Cousin Memphis , Tennessee
We send our condolences to the entire family. Our prayers are with you during this most difficult time.
Gary Stanek February 08, 2025
Cousin Hillsboro , Wisconsin
So sorry to hear of your terrible loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you
Ellen Sjolund February 08, 2025
friend of Sue Stanek Madison , Wisconsin
Am friends with Sue Stanek. So sorry to hear of your family's loss. My sincere condolences.
LeAnn Larson February 08, 2025
Friend Tucson , Arizona
I am so sorry for your loss. May you find peace in your memories of Mike.
Dean Danita Muller February 08, 2025
2nd Cousin La Crosse , Wisconsin
Daryl & Judy, sadly we did not know Mike, but our hearts and prayers go out to you and his family. Prayers of peace to you all.
Diane M Fronk February 08, 2025
2nd cousin Tomah, WI , Wisconsin
Darrell, Judy and families of Mike, My deepest sympathy in the passing of your loved one. May beautiful memories carry your through the hardest of times. "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit" (Psalm 34:18)
Larry & Teresa Stanek February 09, 2025
Cousin Wonewoc , Wisconsin
We are so shocked and deeply saddened by this terrible loss. Our hearts go out to all of Mike's family. We are praying for you at this heartbreaking time Teresa and Larry
Howard and Sadie Burch February 09, 2025
Friend Hillsboro , Wisconsin
We are sorry to hear of your terrible loss of a loved one. May God be with all of you to help ease your pain.
Susan Tallman February 10, 2025
NRCS Colleague Fort Worth , Texas
I've known Mike for less than a year, but in that time really enjoyed working with him and considered him a friend. I'm in shock and grief to hear of his passing. Myself and a few other colleagues visited Wisconsin for work in Sept 2024 and Mike was such a gracious host during our visit. He was clearly proud of Wisconsin and showed us so many great things about your gem of a state. He also spoke so highly of his family and all of the things you did together. He didn't have to take time from his personal life to make that work trip so nice for us, but he did. He made sure we had a selection of cheese and cold water in the truck cooler, took us to great meals and ice cream spots, and introduced us to Culvers and Spotted Cow beer. He was so knowledgeable about WI agriculture and manure application and had great relationships with the folks we talked to along the way. I pray for his family and colleagues to have comfort and strength for the road ahead and I'm grateful I had the chance to know him.
Rajesh Chintala February 10, 2025
NRCS colleague Des Moines , Iowa
Deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Mike Stanek. Please accept my deepest condolences. My prayers and thoughts with the family during this very difficult time
cindy schanke February 11, 2025
friend Reedsburg , Wisconsin
So sorry for your Loss, Jenny and Family! Mike was a great guy and will be deeply missed. Thinking of you all during these days and the years ahead when you feel that empty space left behind.
Ray and Leona Geymann February 11, 2025
Neighbor Portage , Wisconsin
We are sending our sincere sympathy in your tragic and heartbreaking loss.
Elizabeth Schanke February 11, 2025
friend Reedsburg , Wisconsin
Jenny! so sorry to hear this - what a fun man who really made me laugh so many times! There are such vivid memories I have volunteering together, splitting wood and cleaning up the parks. I'll never forget the time I told him my pizza slice tasted better than his and without missing a beat, he stole mine and took a bite, concluding "yours DOES taste better!" What a gem of a human. He will surely be missed <3
Jeff & Kyle February 12, 2025
Friends of Aaron Necedah , Wisconsin
We are so sorry for your loss. You are all in our prayers.
Nolan Pickar February 13, 2025
Former co worker of Jenny Sun Prairie , Wisconsin
My deepest condolences, Jenny and family. I’m very sorry.
Joanne Alt February 13, 2025
Neighbor Portage , Wisconsin
Wrapping your family in love. Garden of Angels is here to support you.
Carolyn Green February 13, 2025
Emmy’s former kdg teacher Baraboo , Wisconsin
Jenny and Emmy, I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my prayers as you navigate this difficult journey through grief and loss. May the Lord comfort you and hold you in His loving arms. Hold on to those wonderful memories, as they will be an anchor in the times ahead.
David Bruce February 13, 2025
collaborator Madison , Wisconsin
So sorry to lose you Mike,. Savanna Institute, as a collaborator with you and your work, has always been blessed to have someone with such deep knowledge and passion for agriculture and the soil at our side as we work to diversify opportunities for farmers and a conservation land ethic. Thank you for everything!
Pat. And Cliff Sendzik February 14, 2025
Cuzin Riverview , Florida
Sending Love and Hugs during this difficult time. Also Lots of prayers. So sorry we could not be there with you during this time
Jan & Dave Primus February 14, 2025
Friend Madison , Wisconsin
Our sympathy. Has been years since we’ve seen you but remember all that you both did for Mirror Lake State Park. We had many great times working on projects.
Brenda Stone Sullivan February 14, 2025
2nd Cousin Wonewoc , Wisconsin
So very sorry for your loss. Our hearts go out to Mike's family, friends, and all who was graced to know him. Our deepest sympathies from the Betty (Stanek) Stone family: Brenda, Jon, Tamera, and Dave.
Kaitlin Schott March 27, 2025
NRCS Colleague Spring Green , Wisconsin
I got to meet Mike at the Dairy Forage Research Center before working with him at the NRCS. I learned so much from Mike and always enjoyed his experience and stories. I knit him a "Low Disturbance Manure Injection" hat inspired by the lines of residue in a crop field after the pass. When I started my position working in small-scale and urban sites we talked about the importance of that work with a vivid example I'll never forget: elephant manure management in downtown Baraboo! What a great loss for Wisconsin's rural landscapes and communities. Mike is dearly missed. My sincere condolences for the family and close friends.