Michael J Sommers

How do you say goodbye to one of the most selfless, loving, kind, funny, caring people we know? How do we navigate through this life without you by our sides? We learned from Mike that we will hold each other up and try to make him proud every single day.

Michael J. Sommers, aka Big Daddy, aged 61, lost a month-long battle with COVID on January 24, 2022 with his heartbroken, loving family at his side.

Michael was born in Milwaukee, WI on April 8th, 1960 to Gloria Sommers and George Sommers. He grew up in Greenfield, WI where he lived in a home built by his grandfather with his mother, two sisters and grandmother. These ladies taught him to cook and boy could he cook…couldn’t bake worth a damn, but loved to cook and grill. He graduated from Greenfield High School where he wrestled and played football and loved hanging with his friends, some who are still friends today.

After graduation, he joined the Marine Corp where he served for 3 years. After serving and coming home, he met the love of his life, Lynda, and together they made a life that can only be described as fun, bumpy, sometimes dramatic, but always loving. Together they built a family that was his absolute greatest joy. They made lifelong friends that are considered family.

In Milwaukee, he worked as a bartender and in construction until they moved to Shawano, WI where he began working for AstenJohnson in Appleton, WI where he stayed for 34 years. He started in the seaming department and worked his way to being a Team Leader. In true Mike fashion, the most important part of his days were the friendships he made and always held dear. 

Michael and Lynda moved to Dale, WI, where they built a home and watched their children thrive and make lifelong friends of their own (who did they learn that from?). Michael coached the kids and their friends in Dale-Readfield-Medina softball up until they all moved to the senior league where he chose to sit back and watch them play.  The family had pool parties, nights by the fire, card nights, all involving family and friends having so much fun. He loved to have fun. If Michael was having fun, EVERYONE was having fun. “If you think he was your best friend, he was.”

Michael was preceded in death by his mother Gloria, his father George, and his beloved dog, Reggie.

He is survived with broken hearts by his loving wife Lynda, his greatest accomplishment and joy, his children: Todd, Nicholas (Megan), Joseph, Matthew (Keeley). His loving sisters Kathy Sifuentes (John) and Lori Kaufman (Rob). His mother and father in-law Tony and Donna Janecek. His nephews John Sifuentes (Tennille), Mark Sifuentes (Michelle), and Michael Sifuentes (Sarah). 11 great nephews and nieces. Best friends Michael and Lori Pucylowski, Bruce and Mary Stiltjes, Kevin and Dixie Morrissey. And all our friends, too many to mention, who have ridden this crazy ride with us.

We would like to thank the nurses and doctors in the COVID ICU and the regular ICU at Saint Elizabeth Hospital, who along with all of us thought he was going to beat this disease and come home. They cared for him lovingly, gently, and genuinely.

Thank you to Valley Funeral Home, who called Lynda after hours to get Michael from the hospital and into their care. One of the most important things to Lynda, is that he is well cared for.

Funeral services will be held at Valley Funeral Home at 2211 N. Richmond Street Appleton, WI 54911 on Saturday, January 29th from 2pm-6pm, with a service from 6pm-7pm.  We request that while greeting the family, please wear a mask. Masks will be available at the funeral home. 

“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal.”

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Michael J Sommers, please visit our floral store.