Dad. Pa. Dumpa. Flash. Mike. How do you sum up a man you could sit with for hours, talking about the meaning of it all or the silliest thing you could think of, and walk away feeling better, smarter, valued, and loved? It didn't matter if you were delivering a package, knocking on his door with a pamphlet, or stocking shelves at Walmart at midnight. Before you knew it, you were three hours into the best conversation you'd had all year.
Mike was born November 22, 1948, in Cudahy, WI, to Charles William and Carolyn Elizabeth (Buerrose) McCall, the baby brother of Charles "Buddy" and Nancy. He grew up on a 12-acre hobby farm south of Oak Creek, where his mother taught him to read by age three and gave him a lifelong love of art, poetry, and classical music. He lost his father at just 13.
When the Vietnam draft came calling, Mike stood by his convictions and earned Conscientious Objector status, which led him to Norwood in Marshfield in 1970. There he met his Angel, Aggie (Slifierczyk), they shared a California burger at Severt's, and developed a love that carried them through all their years. They married in May 1979 at St. John's Catholic Church. Mike worked at Weyerhaeuser, a job he landed in 1978 through prayer and a promise to God to always give to charity.
Together they raised Christine, Matthew, and Jared in the little house on East 3rd Street. But Dad was a dad to far more than his own. Neighborhood kids and foster kids always had a place at his table, a pot of mac and cheese or a fried egg sandwich, and an extra seat for a trip to Milwaukee. He and Mom also opened their home to his mother and his sister Nancy, caring for them for many years.
Dad was endlessly curious about the cosmos, faith, the human mind, history, and every mystery in between, and he'd happily pour you a fresh cup of coffee and tell you all about it. He loved Bob Dylan, Jim Croce, Gordon Lightfoot, Mozart, and Chopin, and always said "there is a beauty in sadness." He loved Shakespeare and Robert Frost, Jeeps, old Fords, and British motorcycles: things that make you feel alive. He believed deeply in God and prayed often.
He faced open heart surgery, a stroke, a bleeding ulcer, and cancer with courage and grace, and he did his pushups and sit-ups until the day he last went into the hospital.
He is survived by his wife, Aggie; children Christine (Kurtis), Matthew (Naomi), and Jared (Chelsea); grandchildren Kaden, Halle (Hunter), Elliana, Landen, Mallory, Jace, Sean, Megan, Jordan, Mary, and Kaiden; and nephews and nieces Mark, Charlie, Rick, Cary, Sarah, and Laura. He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings Nancy and Buddy; in-laws Jan, Mary, Stan, and Mary Ann; niece Lynn; and son-in-law Steve.
He taught us to ride a bike, drive a nail, to wonder, to question, and to love. Thank you for being you, Dad. We are going to miss you so much.
Visitation will be held at Rembs Funeral Home, 250 S. Oak Ave. Marshfield, WI on Friday, October 2nd, 2026 from 4-7pm and (tentative) funeral and interment will be at Brooklawn Memory Gardens, 8883 WI-80, Marshfield, WI on Saturday, October 3rd at 1 pm.
Dad didn’t like suits. He’d really like you to come wearing your jeans, cowboy boots or Chuck Taylor’s, and maybe even a plaid shirt or jean jacket. He would.
Condolences may be sent online at www.rembsfh.com
