Paul Michalski

Paul Anthony Michalski, age 71, was called home to be with his Lord and Savior on May 28, 2026, after a courageous battle with small-cell lung cancer. He was born on February 18, 1955, to Justin and Pearl (Sowinski) Michalski in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Paul graduated from Milwaukee’s Saint Alexander Grade School in 1969 and Pulaski High School in 1973. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Marquette University in 1977 and a Master’s degree in Engineering Management from the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) in 1980. In 1988, he obtained his Professional Engineer license.

Paul made his home in the Wausau area, where he built a successful career and devoted himself to his family. He and Linda (Lambert) Michalski were blessed with three children, who remained a source of great pride and joy throughout his life. On November 11, 2011, Paul married Sharon Modia, and together they shared many years of love, faith, and companionship.

Paul dedicated more than 35 years of service to Wisconsin Public Service Corporation, retiring in 2015. For much of his career, he served as the Substation Construction and Maintenance Manager for the utility’s North Central Wisconsin region.

Paul lived life with passion and conviction. He was never shy about sharing his opinions, especially when it came to politics and current events, and he enjoyed spirited discussions with family and friends. While he was not always one to express affection with words, he showed his love in other ways. One of his greatest joys was planning memorable vacations, creating opportunities for his family to spend time together and build lasting memories. He took pride in bringing people together and creating experiences that would be remembered for years to come.

One of Paul's favorite hobbies was genealogical research. Through years of dedicated work, he built an Ancestry family tree containing more than 20,000 individuals. His research connected relatives, preserved family histories, and assisted hundreds of people in discovering their roots. His life's work in genealogy will remain a lasting gift to future generations.

Paul dearly loved his two long-haired Dachshunds, Keena and Bukie, who rarely left his side and were constant companions throughout the years, especially during his four-year battle with cancer. Keena and Bukie, who knew him simply as "Pops," will miss him dearly.

Paul is survived by his beloved wife, Sharon (Modia) Michalski; the mother of his children, Linda (Lambert) Michalski; his daughters, Lindsay (Nick) Larson and Amanda (Thomas) Hardy; and his son, Andrew Michalski. He was a proud Dzia Dzia to Jovie, Anders, and Ansel Larson. He is survived by his stepson, Tyler Kenowski, and his stepdaughter, Krystal Kenowski.

Paul is also survived by his dear siblings, Camille Mueller, Justin (Lori) Michalski, Richard Michalski, and Jan (Andria) Michalski, as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family members.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Justin and Pearl (Sowinski) Michalski; his brother-in-law, Carl Mueller; his sister-in-law, Loretta (Watkins) Michalski; and his nephew-in-law, Major Erik Boyce, USMC.

A visitation will be held at Ascend Funeral Home & Cremation Care, 2809 Jelinek Avenue, Weston, WI 54476, on Friday, June 5, 2026, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Visitation will continue at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 600 Stevens Drive, Wausau, WI 54401, on Saturday, June 6, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. until the funeral service at 11:00 a.m., with Pastor Eric Hauan officiating. Committal and entombment will follow at Restlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to a luncheon at St. Mark's Lutheran Church following the committal service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Mark's Lutheran Church of Wausau, St. Michael Catholic Church of Wausau, or the Marathon County Humane Society.

A special thank you to Dr. Christopher Peterson for the outstanding care, compassion, and support he provided to Paul over the years. The family is also deeply grateful to the wonderful staff of the Aspirus Oncology and Cardiac units, as well as the IMC, ICU, Palliative Care, and Hospice teams. Their skill, kindness, and positive attitudes helped Paul through many medical challenges and meant so much to him and his loved ones.

Paul's faith, devotion to family, generosity, and passion for preserving family history leave a legacy that will continue to inspire those who knew and loved him.

Ascend Funeral Home & Cremation Care of Weston is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be shared at www.ascendweston.org.