Obituary of Lillian Marie Michalsen

Lillian “Lil” M. Michalsen, age 85, Town of Grand Rapids, passed away Thursday, January 02, 2020 at her residence. Services will be at 6:00 P.M. on Friday, January 17, 2020 at Herman-Taylor Funeral Home, 2201 Chestnut Street, Wisconsin Rapids. Rev. Jonathan Petzold will officiate. Visitation for relatives and friends will be from 3:00 P.M. until the time of services on Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be at a later date at Forest Hill Cemetery. Lillian was born July 9, 1934 in the Town of Hiles, Wood County, WI to Alf and Evelyn (Erdman) Andreasen. She worked as a tow motor operator at Nekoosa Papers/Georgia Pacific until her retirement. Lillian truly believed in the reason for the seasons, or in other words, that the Lord has an appointed time for everything. She enjoyed helping others through various service projects with the many organizations she was involved with. She was a kind, compassionate lady whose heart was always in the right place. She enjoyed flower gardening, rosemaling, and traveling. She was a longtime member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, the Wisconsin Rapids Eagles Club, the Grand Rapids Lions Club, Chapter 55 Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary, and was an active volunteer for many years at the Central Wisconsin Veterans Home at King, WI. Lillian is survived by three sons: Thomas Michalsen, Orlando, FL, Jere Michalsen, Wisconsin Rapids, and Paul Michalsen (Suzan Gilligan), Wisconsin Rapids; grandchildren: Jessica Colson and her children: Chicago, Edward, Jr., Mackenzie and Jorja and her former husband and friend, Edward, Sr., Alyssa (Jacob) Whitehead and their children, Jacob and baby due in 2020; Cory Michalsen (Carly Jaminsky), Robin Michalsen, Trevor Gezella; two sisters: Violet Knoll, Plover and Marie (Ronald) Winters, Wisconsin Rapids; sister-in-law, Laurie Andreasen, Wisconsin Rapids; daughter-in-law, Ann Hamm; special friends: Judy Webb, Marianne Nystrom, Rey Duran, Jamie Mancl, Peggy Jacoby, and Jean Berna; and her fur baby, Teddy. She is preceded in death by her parents; former husband, Robert Michalsen; son, Robert Michalsen Jr.; brother, Robert Andreasen; brother-in-law, Henry Knoll; and special friend J.B. Webb. Lillian’s family would like to extend a special thank you to the following people/organizations who cared for her: Denise Kniprath with Aspirus Riverview Hospital, Jessica Geiger with Marshfield Clinic Heart Failure Clinic, the staff at Riverview Hospital who assisted during her stay, the staff at Edenbrook who assisted during her stay, and Heartland Hospice for treating her with dignity during her final days at home.