John Michalke, age 89, died August 10, 2024. John was born April 5, 1935 to Harry and Kathleen Michalke. He grew up in Rice Lake, Wisconsin with five sisters, Mary McNamara Susie Lowe, Mona Quinn, Jane Ballard, and Ann Henry. John attended St. Joseph’s Grade School, Rice Lake High School, and the University of Wisconsin. He then joined the United States Army Medical Core and was stationed in Germany for 2 years.

After he returned from the service, John began his long business career in Minneapolis, Minnesota. John married Carol Ann Svihel in 1965. The couple formed a strong 59 year friendship and partnership. Along the way they raised four sons, John, Tong, Thai, and Paul of which he was always very proud. They now enjoy eight wonderful grandchildren.

After gaining experience with several fortune 500 companies in investments, and insurance, John joined Bruce Publishing Co. as an Advertising Space Salesman. Within one year he doubled the advertising sales of the 2 monthly publications he was assigned to, Purchasing Management, and The Tool and Die Journal. Within 2 years he was promoted to the position of Publication Manager and Publisher, as well as being elected to the Board of Directors.

After 8 years with Bruce Publishing, in 1971 John formed Michalke Publishing Co., a contract publishing firm, specializing in directories and buyers’ guides for merchandise shows.

Over 40 years, and with wonderful employees, he expanded the company from coast to coast, publishing more that 80 titles per year. This included books for many large trade shows as well as multiple annual publications for the Professional Golf Association, PGA.

Eventually John and Carol retired to their family home in Northern Wisconsin and built a home in Scottsdale, Arizona.

At an early age and as an adult John began making good and lifelong friends that complimented his rich family life. All these relationships provided him many memories and stories that were often accompanied by his easily recognizable laugh. John, in later years, would remind his family and friends, “you know you are really Irish when you have absolutely no idea how to make a long story short”.

John enjoyed traveling, sailing, hunting, fishing and the outdoor adventures available in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Canada, Europe, and the Caribbean. He thoroughly enjoyed golf, belonging many years to the Edina Country Club in Minnesota and Tonto Verde Country Club in Scottsdale, Arizona.

John was an avid reader of history and creative thinker with a terrific sense of humor, who found humor in almost everything. He was dyslexic but never let this get in his way and learned early in life to think outside the box and to think positively. He was a lifelong Catholic and a member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem - Northern Lieutenancy of the U.S., achieving the rank of Knight Commander of the Grand Cross.

Throughout John’s life he has greatly contributed his generous being to many charities.

John will be deeply missed by his family who loved him greatly, and his many friends.

He was preceded in death by his son, John William Michalke, his parents, Kathleen and Harry Michalke, his sister, Mona Michalke Quinn, and many dear family members and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Carol, sons Tong (Mai Thomb) Trinh, Thai (Lynn) Trinh, Paul (Anna Goldammer) Michalke, and Grandchildren, Max, Mason, Mikaela, Tina, Anne, Leah, Lyons, and Madeleine Rose.

A Celebration service August 24, 2024

• Visitation 10AM
• Mass 11AM
• Reception to follow
• All celebrations at St. Joseph’s Church, Hayward, WI

Memorials may be made to: Sharing and Caring Hands (Minneapolis, MN), Franciscan Brothers of the Poor (St. Paul, MN), Andre Haus (Phoenix, AZ) and Maggie’s Place (Phoenix, AZ)

Last Update: Aug 14, 2024 9:41 am CDT