Michael B. Zein

Michael (Mike) B. Zein, age 73 of Onalaska, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center. He was born May 15, 1952 in La Crosse, the son of Frank and Dorothy Zein.

Mike went to St. Patrick’s Grade School in Onalaska and graduated from Aquinas High School in La Crosse. He went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Mike worked for 34 years at the La Crosse County Landfill as a Landfill Supervisor and retired in 2010. He also worked for Walmart in Onalaska for 20 years and retired in 2020. He was a busy man but always enjoyed working and meeting so many people in both his careers. One of Mike’s greatest gifts was how easily he could have a conversation with any stranger.

Mike was an avid sports fan but particularly loved the Badgers, Brewers, and Packers. He could always talk sports with anyone. His sister said he could have been a sports statistician with all the knowledge he acquired over the years.

Mike loved working on his yard and talking with his many neighbors. He enjoyed playing cards at the Senior Center and looked forward to it every week. However, his greatest joy was spending time with his family. Whether traveling to Kaukauna, Madison or Indiana, being with his family was the most important thing to him.

He is survived by his wife, Sally, whom he married on October 14, 1989; his sons, Bryan Saxe and Aaron (Aly Catacutan) Zein; granddaughter, Amelia Saxe; granddog, Leia; his sister, Patricia (Richard) Battaglia; and nephew, James Battaglia. Mike was born into a small family, which became much larger through marriage. He cherished family gatherings and holidays in Indiana, and he loved his extended family as his own.

Mike was preceded in death by his father, Frank Zein, and his mother, Dorthy (Larkin) Zein. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his uncle James Larkin, uncle Brud and aunt Eleanor Zernecke, cousin Herb Zernecke, and uncle Bernie (Illa) Zein.

Visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00pm, Friday, May 8, 2026 at Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home, 907 Sand Lake Road, Onalaska, WI 54650. A rosary service will conclude the visitation at 7:00pm. There will be a burial ceremony at the cemetery at a later date.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to the doctors, nurses, chaplains, and staff who were so amazing and kind. With his last gift on this Earth, Mike donated his organs so that others may have the chance of life.

Mike was connected with the Alzheimer’s Association, including a study of children of parents with Alzheimer’s through UW Madison. The family has requested memorials be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in his memory.