Michael G. Mullen, age 82, passed away on Monday, July 4, 2022.
Michael was born on August 25, 1939 to Frank and Helen (Graham) Mullen in Watertown, Wisconsin.
Mike was united in marriage to Evelyn Kueter on August 24, 1968 in Bellevue, Iowa. She preceded him in death on February 28, 1996. Mike was then united in marriage to Margaret Stark for over 15 years.
Mike worked at family-owned Mullen's Dairy in Watertown throughout this youth. Mike graduated from Watertown High School in 1957. Some highlights from his Watertown High School days were: starter on the 1956 9-0 varsity football team that would have won the state championship if there were playoffs back then (per Mike), starter on the 1957 19-3 basketball team that finished ranked 9th in the state (he scored 551 points that season, an average of 25 points per game), and his proudest high school achievement, starting center fielder on the 1955 state championship baseball team as a sophomore.
Upon graduation, Mike went on to earn a full basketball scholarship to Marquette University. After one season, he transferred to and graduated from Ripon College in 1962. While at Ripon, he was coached in basketball by legendary coach Kermit "Doc" Weiske. He was voted unanimous all-conference in basketball in 1962. Mike averaged 21 points per game. He also batted .345 and .415 in baseball as well. After his stellar career, Mike was inducted into the Ripon College Hall of Fame in 1991.
Mike was a proud member of the US Army, having been deployed in Germany from 1962-1964. Following the Army, Mike was a Physical Education teacher in Reeseville, WI from 1965-1967. He then went on to be a Middle School Physical Education teacher in Seymour, WI from 1968-1996. During his teaching career, Mike also coached varsity boys' basketball, freshman boys' basketball, junior varsity baseball, freshman football, junior varsity softball, and varsity softball.
He also played BABA basketball, semi-pro baseball with the Watertown Cardinals, slo-pitch softball with The Gallery and The Hotel. In maybe the greatest game he ever played, as a Watertown Cardinal in a win vs. Ashippun, he went 6-8 with two home runs, 2 doubles, and 14 RBIs.
Mike was a big fan of the Brewers, Packers, Bucks, Badgers and Seymour athletics. He was a two-time Seymour Athletic Backer of the Year Award winner. His grandkids' sports teams were his unquestioned favorites however. He was a super fan of Appleton North softball, Appleton North football, Appleton North boys' basketball, Appleton North baseball, and Winona State softball.
Golf was another passion for Mike. He was a member at Crystal Springs Golf Course in Seymour for over 40 years. He was a 10-time Club Champion and also made two holes in one. He played in the Monday Night Mens' League for decades and played golf daily for 20+ years after his retirement from teaching. He was known to have the dirtiest golf cart ever.
Mike also loved to play cards but it had to be his games: Sheepshead (but the rules had to be two queens you have to pick with crack & recrack), Cribbage/Drage, and Mullen's Crazy Eight (invented by him).
He is survived by his wife Margaret (Stark) Mullen; children: Mike (Yvonne) Mullen, Appleton; Sue (Bob) Mohar, De Pere; and Sara (Chuck) Miller, Indianapolis; five grandchildren: Taylor, Marissa, Trent, Evan, Ava; great-grandson, Carson. He is also survived by In-laws: Carl (Diane) Kueter, Jeannette Booth, Marcy (Don) Schmieder, Sheri Kueter, Dean (Cindy) Kueter, Barb (Bob) Zupancich, Bev Kueter, Greg Harrison, Julie (Tony Bologna) Fondell, and 25 nieces/nephews.
In addition to his parents and late wife, Evelyn Mullen, he was preceded in death by in-laws: Ben and Viola Kueter; sister-in-law and brothers-in-law: Rosemarie Harrison, Bill Booth, Duane Kueter; Dan Johnson (golf buddy); Glen Ohm (dog track buddy).
Visitation will take place at Muehl-Boettcher Funeral Home, Seymour on Thursday, July 7, 2022 from 4pm until 7pm. Visitation will continue at St. Edward Catholic Church, Mackville on Friday, July 8, 2022 at 9:30am until the time of the funeral at 11am with Father Robert Chinnapan officiating.
The family asks for casual attire/golf attire for the visitation and funeral in Mike's honor as Mike thoroughly disliked wearing formal attire.
Online condolences may be expressed to Michael's family at www.muehlboettcher.com