Michael Ryan Bartz, 48, of Green Bay, passed away at his home with loving family by his side on Feb. 26, 2018, following a three-year battle with brain cancer.
Mike was born in Shawano on July 28, 1969, to Alvin and Nancy (Hoeffs) Bartz. He attended Shawano High School and was a three-sport athlete, graduating in 1987. He continued his education, receiving his bachelor’s degree in industrial technology management from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville in 1991. He was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart Stacey (Kilbourn) on Sept. 7, 1991, at St. Martin Lutheran Church, Shawano. In 1994, they moved to Green Bay where they purchased their first home. Together they celebrated over 26 years of marriage and raised three wonderful children. Ryan is a recent graduate of the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Briana is currently attending the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and Allison is a junior at Bay Port High School. All are very special in their own personalities, but share a part of their dad’s humor and gift for gab.
Mike started his professional career at Konz Wood Products, followed by LaForce and Midwest Moulding and Door. In 2000, he and business partner David Tomashek embarked on a new adventure starting their own company, Premiere Door and Supply Inc. At the end of a long day, they would often remark “we’re living the dream.”
He enjoyed snowmobiling, helping out on the family farm, traveling, baseball, softball, bowling, hunting and boating during the annual family trips to Eagle River. Despite being a dedicated Badgers fan, he still enjoyed the annual trip to Nebraska with his father-in-law and cheered for the rival football team. He cherished time with his children; as they grew, he turned his strong passion for baseball (a former Shawano Lobo ball player) into coaching his daughters’ softball teams.
Mike was kind, genuine, funny and inspirational – leaving a lasting impression on everyone with whom he crossed paths. He was generous with his time and talents and will be missed by many.
Mike is survived by his wife, Stacey; children, Ryan, Briana and Allison; parents, Alvin and Nancy Bartz, of Shawano; in-laws, Larry and Judy Kilbourn, of Shawano; brothers Steven Bartz (Paul Carpenter), of Seattle, Washington, and James (Beth) Bartz and their children Adam and Brad, of Shawano; sister and brother-in-law Michele (Hal) Steffen and their twin daughters Cora and Sunlin, of Fredonia; paternal grandmother Hildegarde Bartz, of Shawano; and his aunt and uncle, Opal and Dick Sawall, of Clintonville, with whom he had a special bond. He is also survived by other numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his cousin, Jeffrey Sawall; paternal grandfather, Elmer Bartz; maternal grandparents, Arnold and Ruth Hoeffs; and several aunts and uncles.
Family and friends are invited to gather at the Pfotenhauer Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Howard-Suamico location, 1145 Cardinal Lane, Green Bay, on Friday, March 2, 2018, from 3:30-7:30 p.m. Visitation will continue on Saturday, March 3, 2018, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. with service and burial to follow at St. Martin Lutheran Church, W8302 Belle Plaine Ave., Shawano. Online condolences welcome at www.PfotenhauerFuneralHome.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be directed to the family or the St. Martin Lutheran Church Improvement Fund.
The family would like to express their heartfelt thank you to Heather Munagala, Karla Miller, Tom Teetzen, Jeff and Barb Blank and Todd and Lori Sherman for their love and endless support. Additional appreciation is extended to Dr. Dhimant Patel, the nursing and support staff at Aurora Vince Lombardi Cancer Clinic and Aurora at Home Hospice.