John L. Michel

STITZER - It is with the deepest regret that we announce the passing of John Lester Michel on Wednesday October 30, 2024. John was born on Sunday January 13, 1946, in Stitzer; the son of Lester and Edna (Wefel) Michel, who both preceded him in death.

John graduated from Fennimore High School in 1964 and went on to earn a degree in Agriculture from UW Platteville in 1968. He was united in marriage to Jolly Beck Werner on Sept 2, 1972, at the Stitzer United Methodist Church. The couple celebrated their 50^th wedding anniversary with a dinner at the Cottonwood Supper Club in 2022, the same restaurant that served their wedding dinner 50 years prior.

Until his retirement, John raised crops and operated “Holstein Hills,” a pristine dairy on his family farm in Stitzer. He was a consistent Milk Quality Award winner for decades with his dairy cooperative, Swiss Valley Farms. Representing Swiss Valley Farms as Outstanding Young Cooperators, John and Jolly enjoyed several trips across the country to national dairy meetings.

John was the first dairy farmer in this area to utilize closed circuit tv to monitor his cows in the barn, while he was in his house. In the mid 90’s, John hired Rose Baack, then an Agriculture student at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College, to assist with caring for the milk herd. As retirement drew near, John turned the dairy herd management operation over to Rose, who carried on the tradition of quality milk production. During her time working on the Michel dairy, Rose became close friends with John and Jolly, eventually becoming like a daughter to them. That relationship carried on into Rose’s marriage to Paul Cutting and the birth of the Cutting’s three children. Among John’s great joys were spoiling Jolly and his three grandchildren Asa, Tilla and Ella Cutting.

John and Jolly took annual honeymoon trips. As the years progressed, the grandchildren joined them on many of these adventures to hotels with waterparks and pools. John was an avid audiophile. He loved music and was a huge fan of Maynard Ferguson and other jazz musicians.

At Halloween, John’s house was a favored trick or treat stop. His home was known throughout the Stitzer neighborhood as the place to go to get cans of pop and full-sized candy bars, always including Butterfingers, John’s personal favorite.

John was a gentle soul who valued friendship and was always ready to help others. He was meticulous in any work he undertook and appreciated a quality outcome. He valued his time with Jolly and supported her in her interests, hobbies and career. He will be greatly missed by all his family and friends.

John is survived by his wife Jolly; “daughter” Rose and their favorite “son-in-law,” Paul Cutting of Fennimore, “grandchildren”: Asa, Tilla and Ella Cutting of Fennimore; brother, James Michel (Jane) of Lincoln, NE; as well as cousins and nephews.

Jolly extends her heartfelt appreciation to the staff at Orchard Manor for the tender, professional care they provided for John during the last two months of his life. She also extends her gratitude for the Agrace Hospice nursing staff that cared for John in his final days.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established in memory of John Michel and will be distributed to local organizations supportive of music, theater and development opportunities involving young people.