Michael Ronkowski

Michael "Mike" Ronkowski, age 68, died on Thursday, August 18, 2016, at the Aspirus Wausau Hospital. He was born on April 20, 1948 to the late Joseph and Margaret (Wieczorek) Ronkowski in Chicago, IL. Mike attended school in Chicago, IL. He then went on to proudly serve his country in the United States Navy for 4 years. He met and fell in love with Annette Biniecki, and the two exchanged vows on February 3, 1973 in Chicago, IL. She survives. Mike was a retired stationary engineer at LTV Steel in Chicago, IL, where he had been employed for almost 30 years. He also managed an apartment building, with his wife, Annette, for 6 years. Mike and Annette moved to Merrill, WI 7 years ago, with their daughter, Claudine. Mike loved the outdoors. He had a passion for fishing and was an avid fisherman. He and Annette would take road trips all over, enjoying the scenery. They would go to Lake Geneva, Door County, Minocqua and Michigan – just to name a few. Mike truly enjoyed and respected nature and all of its beauty. When the weather wasn't so nice, he would enjoy watching football games, especially his Chicago Bears. During hockey season, he would cheer for his Chicago Blackhawks. Mike was also an excellent cook. He would cook and barbeque for his family every chance he had, and took pride in his homemade spaghetti sauce. He was always a very loving, helpful and generous man. Mike is remembered as having a really unique sense of humor and was always joking around. He was a great father, attentive husband, and an all around good guy. Mike was a great friend to many and very easy going. He will be sadly missed. Mike is survived by his wife: Annette Ronkowski, daughter: Claudine Ronkowski, brother: Joseph (Kathleen) Ronkowski, brother in-law: Thomas (Bertha) Biniecki, nieces: Linda Ronkowski, Pam (Ifrael) Alvarez and Julie (Chris) Richardson, nephew: Kevin Ronkowski, many great nieces and nephews, cousins, and many very good, supportive friends. A Memorial Service for Mike will be held at a later date in Illinois. Waid Funeral Home of Merrill is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.waidfuneral.com.

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