Kenneth Henry Michaelis was born on July 9, 1940 in Madison, WI to Alfred and Myrtle Michaelis. He was a 1962 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a 1966 graduate of Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque. He served parishes in North Dakota and the Amherst, Wisconsin area until accepting a call in 1976 to serve as Chaplain-Personnel Director for Northland Retirement Community in Marinette. He served Northland for 38 years as Chaplain, Health Care Administrator, and for the final 16 years, as the CEO/President. Pastor Michaelis retired in 2014. While serving at Northland and in his retirement years, he provided pulpit supply and was an administrative interim for numerous congregations in the area.
Pastor Michaelis served the community as mayor of Ross, ND, and as chairman of the Marinette City Committee on Aging and the Marinette City Board of Cemetery Trustees.
Pastor Ken married Joanne Kay Tewalt in 1962, whom he credited as a wonderful partner in ministry. They were the parents of two children, Craig and Krista, and lately resided in Porterfield, WI. They have three grandchildren.
Kenneth is preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Janice. He is survived by his wife Joanne, his brothers Robert and Bruce (Kay), son Craig (Nathan), daughter Krista (Sean), and three Grandchildren (Kieran, Sigurd, and Trygve).
Visitation will be held on Friday, August 21st from 3 to 6 PM at Hansen-Onion-Martell funeral home at 610 Marinette Ave., Marinette, WI 54143. On Saturday, August 22nd, a visitation will be held at 10 AM and followed by the funeral service at 11 AM at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 1600 University Ave., Marinette, WI 54143. A luncheon will follow. Burial will be at the historic First Lutheran Church in Middleton, WI where family were included among the founding members.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Northland Foundation in memory of Reverend Kenneth Michaelis. Donations can be sent to NLRC, 831 Pine Beach Rd., Marinette, WI 54143.
