John “Mike” Michael Oestreicher, age 79, passed away on November 26, 2025, at Mayo Clinic in La Crosse, WI. He shared his last breath with his daughter by his side. He was born June 22, 1946, in La Crosse to the late Alfred and Margaret (Koblitz) Oestreicher.

Mike graduated from Aquinas High School in 1964. He married the love of his life, Judy (Peterson), on February 24, 1968. Mike served in the US Navy from 1967 to 1970. Mike worked as a brakeman and conductor for the BNSF Railroad for 25 years. For the last 19 years, he volunteered with AARP doing taxes.

Mike was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Mike retired from the railroad in 1993 and enjoyed early retirement traveling with his beautiful wife, Judy, and often sharing his love of travel with his daughter and grandchildren. Mike especially loved attending Navy “Tin Can Sailors” reunions for the Baileys, Hollands, and Wares. Mike also loved traveling to see friends and family, whether it be a day trip to Iowa for a cup of coffee or traveling throughout the country to “drop in” and say “hi”.

Anyone who knew Mike would say he was a kind and gentle soul. Mike never met anyone who didn’t become a friend and an extended family member. Mike rarely said no to a game of cards, whether it was a game of Pinnacle at the Doghouse or Euchre with the Gianolis. He was always up for a good game of cribbage. Mike loved to share stories about growing up in a large family, traveling the world while in the Navy, or working for the railroad. However, his greatest love was his family. One of his happiest moments was taking the family to Myrtle Beach for a Ware reunion. On the weekends when Mike wasn’t working, traveling, playing cards, or hanging out with family, he was cheering for the Green Bay Packers or watching a race of some sort.

He is survived by his daughter, Laura (Todd) Johnson; grandchildren, Jordan (Autumn) Johnson and Hannah (Thomas) Johnson; great-grandchildren, Audriauna, Mercedes, Masen, McKinley, Siena, and Ryder; sisters-in-law, Betsy Oestreicher and Carlene Oestreicher; and many nieces and nephews. We cannot forget his grand “fur babies”, Sonic, Confucious, Houdi, and Carly.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Judy Oestreicher; parents, Alfred and Margaret; sisters, Arlyne, Elizabeth “Betty”, Rosalie “Sally”, Mary Ann, and Kathleen “Katie”; brothers, Joseph, Alfred “Fritz”, Stephan “Steve” and Paul; and in-laws, Victor and Doris (Viola) Peterson and brothers-in-law, William Gianoli, Harlan “Moke” Mossholder, Daryl Burge, and Jerry Peterson.

Visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 p.m., Thursday, December 4, 2025, at Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home, 200 West Avenue S., La Crosse, WI. A rosary will take place at 6:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Visitation will also take place at 10:00 a.m., on Friday, December 5, 2025, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11:00 a.m. Please join the family for a luncheon and fellowship at Leo Hall after the service.

Memorial contributions in his memory may be made to Monroe County Humane Society, Hunger Task Force, or Wounded Warriors.