Michael Thomas Whitt Jr., 53, devoted husband, father and grandfather unexpectedly passed away on Wednesday, April 7, 2021. Mike was born in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin to Michael Thomas Sr. and Paula (Tumaniac) Whitt on March 10, 1968.
Mike had many lifelong childhood friends growing up and married one of them, Brandi L Rieck in 1991, thirty years ago. Two children were born to this union, Kelsey Marie and Michael Bruce. Mike worked his heart hard and was hard hearted. He did clamming with Billy Tieman and Aaron Erdenberger and dove many miles in the depths of the Mississippi River. Mike also did some sandblasting, both jobs requiring air compressors and respirators to breathe. Mike then started his own tree service business “Riverland Tree Service”, with some of his childhood friends, Billy Tieman and Lonnie Wiemerslage by his side, another hard and dangerous job. Mike taught his son the job, who took over the business.
Mike was an amazing drummer with his “Waitin on Bob” band. Probably his true passion but his secret passion was also being a vintage firecracker collector.
Surviving Mike are his father, Michael Whitt Sr.; his wife, Brandi (Rieck) Whitt; two children, Kelsey M. Whitt (Anthony Hoppenjan) and Michael Bruce Whitt; two brothers, Mark Whitt and Matthew Whitt; brother-in -law, Tim (Alisa) Rieck; and his grandchildren, Elias Kimbler “meathead”, Alivia Whitt “Liver”, Bay Kimbler “bagel”, Wyatt Whitt “cryit”, Huxley Hoppenjan “squid”, Divina Hoppenjan “sasshole” and Bronley Whitt. His grandchildren admired him and loved when he would put them on his knee and give them drum lessons. Mike is also survived by his band family of past history, Tom Swenson, Bob Becwar, Aaron Erdenberger, Lonnie Wiemerslage, Nike Jansen, Scott Rose, Bradley Barton, Karl Witlak and many more.
Mike was preceded in death by his grandparents, Buster and Laura (Hammon) Whitt and his father-in-law, Bruce L Rieck; Mike was also preceded in death by his mother-in-law, Georgia M Rieck, who passed away exactly three weeks before him.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, May 8, 2021 at LaRiviere Park in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin.
Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin is assisting the family.