Sherman Edward Stock

Sherman Edward Stock (Michaelis), of Hales Corners, passed away on May 26, 2026, at the age of 98, in the care of his daughter Kate Milani and son-in-law Hamid Milani, in Wausau, WI.

Sherman was born in Milwaukee and graduated from Rufus King High School, where he played football and sang in the choir. During that time, he met the love of his life, Sally, and they were married in 1951. He attended Marquette University, earning a bachelor’s degree in business administration. After graduation, Sherman enlisted in the United States Army and was stationed in Oklahoma, Texas, and Northern New York. Following his military service, he returned to Marquette University to attend law school, earning his Juris Doctor in 1958.

Sherman devoted much of his career to public service, working as legal counsel to U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson for 18 years. He and Gaylord shared a close friendship, and they worked together on several significant projects, including the founding of Earth Day and a trip to Biafra to provide humanitarian relief during the Nigerian Civil War. He then worked for Governor Tony Earl as Veterans Affairs Advisor.

Artistic expression was a lifelong passion for Sherman. He created numerous paintings and drawings and was an award-winning political cartoonist under the pen name K. Cots. Sherman also showcased his artistic talents as a resident of the Village of Hales Corners and member of the Hales Corners Historical Society, contributing clay figures, dioramas, murals, and a portrait of Jim Ryan, the late village president. He remained civically engaged throughout his life, writing consistently about politics, often through letters to the editor. Known for his quick wit and dry sense of humor, he was rarely without a clever remark.

He enjoyed fishing, playing cribbage, following baseball, basketball, and football, and traveling with his wife Sally. Together, they visited multiple countries in Europe, Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, and South Africa. For many years, they spent summers with family at Pasha Lake in Ontario, Canada, and winters in Hawaii and Florida. They were long-time members of the Greenfield Avenue Presbyterian Church.

A dedicated Democrat, Sherman believed in civil rights, environmental and consumer protections, and bipartisan cooperation to improve the lives of working-class Americans. Upon his retirement as Communications Director for the Wisconsin Academy of Trial Lawyers, the organization celebrated him as “Defender of the Bill of Rights and Friend of the People.”

He was preceded in death by his brother and sister-in-law, Grover and Hazel Stock; daughter, Anne Weber; and his wife of 70 years, Sally Stock. He is survived by his son, Christopher Stock (wife Ellen); daughter, Kathryn Milani (husband Hamid); son-in-law, Jeff Weber, husband of the late Anne Weber; grandchildren Wendi Horcos, Sahar Milani, Holly Weber, Emily Guill, Billy Weber, Chris Stock, Jr., Rebecca Stock, and Michael Stock; great-grandchildren Liam Devan, Teagan Farris, and Faye Farris; and many extended family members and friends.

No services are planned at this time.

Memorial donations may be made to the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies at the University of Wisconsin - Madison. https://50.nelson.wisc.edu/our-stories/sherman-stock/

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