Obituaries

Michael F. Brozek, age 71, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Wednesday, January 10, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. Michael was born on March 18, 1952, in Chicago, Illinois, to Chester and Evelyn Brozek. Not long after the arrival of his only sibling, Susan, the family relocated from Chicago to Phillips, Wisconsin, so his father could start the famed tavern/bowling alley “Ches and John’s Lanes.”

Michael graduated from Phillips High School in 1970 and went on to graduate from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire in 1974 with degrees in Political Science and Radio and Television. Upon graduation, Michael served as Assistant to the Attorney General with the Wisconsin Department of Justice. After his years with the Attorney General, Michael accepted a private sector position with the State Medical Society of Wisconsin. Michael earned the American Medical Association’s highest award in the development of a state government affairs structure and strategy for medical practitioners. An avid nonsmoker, Michael transitioned to working with the Tobacco Institute out of Washington, DC, managing and directing lobbyists in several states in the Midwest. Sometime later, Michael worked in close partnership with Newman/Haas Racing for the Milwaukee Mile; Michael, his wife Beth, and their friends would always look forward to their early June gatherings. Following Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson’s appointment to US Secretary of Health and Human Services, Michael and his team established a Washington, DC, office and became deeply involved with dramatic changes in federal healthcare policy.

Michael had many noteworthy achievements throughout his life, but he was always proudest of his family. Michael met Elizabeth “Beth” Bradish in 1975 at a Young Democrats convention in Eau Claire, and he instantly fell for her. (Beth, on the other hand, would take some convincing.) Michael and Beth were married on June 18th, 1977, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Menasha, Wisconsin. When asked by his children when he knew he was in love with their mom, Michael said that they were driving somewhere early on in their relationship in his yellow Fiat convertible and the Bee Gees song “To Love Somebody” came on the radio. At that point, he said, “I looked over at your mom and knew that those lyrics were written for exactly how I felt about her. I knew I would love her for the rest of my life.”

Over the span of 46 years together, Michael and Beth weathered every storm they faced and always found themselves on the other side of it stronger and more deeply bonded. They began their marriage with extensive travel (a lifelong passion), particularly to venues important to The Beatles (another lifelong passion). Michael and Beth went on to have four beautiful children who gave Michael new meaning in life. Michael prided himself on overusing the phrase, “I love you,” with each of his children. They could always be certain of their father’s complete and unconditional love for them, and his wholehearted devotion to their mother.

Michael made many happy memories for himself and others throughout his life. He and Beth loved taking trips up north to their home away from home—St. Germaine/Minocqua-–to see friends that soon became family. Michael was known to travel off the beaten path and take “quick” detours through Eau Claire, La Crosse, Hayward, and others to eventually get to his destination…many hours later. His children have fond (and extensive) memories of many road trips spent listening to their parents sing and laugh together, and of one special non-road trip to

the Canadian Potato Museum on Prince Edward Island that Michael still thought was the most fun destination ever (not so much for his children who envisioned Disney World). Michael and his band “The Bridge,” founded in high school, would reunite in 2008 to play at venues all around northern Wisconsin for their “Midlife Crisis Tour”; one concert is even rumored to have tripled the population of Price County for a night, although it’s unclear if Michael started that rumor himself. Michael also loved cooking elaborate dinners every Sunday night for his family and friends, spending nights at home with Beth binge-watching “Blue Bloods,” and cheering on the Packers at every opportunity. One of his greatest joys was his only grandchild, Nora Elizabeth, with whom he shared the most beautiful and extraordinary bond over the last 3 years.

A funny and generous man, Michael was also extremely opinionated on just about everything. It would be remiss of us not to acknowledge that, according to Michael: Shelley Duvall and Jack Nicholson were not properly cast in “The Shining,” Lee Harvey Oswald was a patsy, kielbasa is a staple of every holiday meal, hydrogen peroxide can fix almost anything, Filling up the car with gas wasn’t necessary until the light came on, pierogis are a delicacy, a toilet plunger can get out almost any car dent, and he definitely wasn’t the one responsible for losing the keys on that one family vacation along Highway 70.

Michael embodied determination, perseverance, strength, and hard work for his entire life. There was never a task too difficult for Michael, and those traits carried over into his wife’s breast cancer diagnosis and then into his own cancer diagnosis soon after. Even after a nearly month-long hospital stay in late 2023, Michael worked tirelessly to regain the strength to be discharged so he could be home in time for Christmas. It was the best Christmas gift he could have ever given to his family, and they will cherish those memories for the rest of their lives.

Michael is survived by his wife, Beth; their four children, Christopher, Nicholas, Margaret “Maggie” (Jeremy), and Rachel (Tom), all of Madison, WI; one grandchild, Nora; one sister, Susan Brozek of Minneapolis, MN; sisters-in-law Marilyn (Dave) Brown, Sharon Bradish, and Kathleen Bradish; brothers-in-law John (Rita) Bradish, Paul (Debra) Bradish, and Mark (Christy) Bradish; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and many dear friends.

Michael was preceded in death by his father and mother, Chester and Evelyn Brozek, and his brother-in-law, Bill Bradish.

A Celebration of Life with be held on Saturday, January 27th at Erin's Snug Irish Pub from 12:30pm to 3:00pm at 4601 American Pkwy, Madison, WI 53718

In lieu of flowers, please consider doing a random act of kindness in Michael’s honor or making a donation to Michael’s family for them to decide on a charity of their choosing at a later date.

To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.

Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services

2418 N Sherman Ave

608-249-8257