Michael Ewanowski

Michael Patrick Ewanowski, almost 49, died at University Hospitals in Madison on Sunday, October 26, 2014. His death was unexpected, though he was challenged by chronic illness much of his life. He was born in Oshkosh, Wisconsin on October 30, 1965, the son of Stan and Grace (Thommesen) Ewanowski. He grew up in Madison and attended the Madison Public Schools. On May 5, 1990 he married Anna Marie Van Rossum. Together they brought into the world and raised two wonderful sons, Nathaniel Michael and Patrick Michael. Anna predeceased him on October 2, 2011.
Those two sons were the joy of his life. He helped coach them from the sidelines in Little League and up, supported them always as they grew, shared his love of cooking with them, and, in the most recent years, looked forward to and delighted in their Sunday Family Day together.
He loved to fish, whether it was on the Mississippi River, the Madison lakes or Lake Namakagon. As he became more homebound, he spent countless hours feeding and observing neighborhood critters at his living room window. He was an avid fan of the Brewers, Packers and UW Badgers. Travelling to Pasadena and watching the Badgers beat Stanford in the 2000 Rose Bowl was a most memorable trip.
In addition to his sons, who both live in Madison, Mike is survived and will be missed by his mother, Grace Thommesen, Madison; his father Stan (Barbara) Ewanowski, Tampa, Florida; a brother David (Mayo)Ewanowski, Madison; sisters, Kathy (Dan) Homblette, Orlando, Florida, Carolyn (Gary) Pattin, Green Bay and Karen (Michael Myshack) Ewanowski, St Paul,; step-sisters Teri(Jay) Wians, Janesville and Sue Schiefelbein, Kansas City, Missouri; a brother-in-law Lou Van Rossum, Wrightstown, sisters-in-law Mary Van Hout, Middleton, Janie Moll, Prairie du Sac, and Cheryl Mader (Dale Klemme), Prairie du Chien and Nate's sweetheart Chelsea Plamann, Madison. He will be fondly remembered by many nieces, nephews, grandnephews and grandnieces and special friends Mike and Anita.
Family and friends are invited to an informal celebration of Mike's life on Sunday, November 2 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Cress Center, 6021 University Avenue in Madison, with a time for shared reflections at 1 p.m.
Memorials may be given to West Madison Little League scholarship fund: http://wmll.org/resources/for-parents/scholarship-program/ or to Lake Explorer Camp, a Clean Lakes Alliance with the Boys and Girls Club, offering young kids opportunities to learn how to fish. https://www.cleanlakesalliance.com/product/lake-buddy/
He made a difference in the lives of so many in his days on earth. Now he enjoys peace and joy eternal.