Michael “Mike” A. Kalhagen, 68, of Necedah, formerly of McFarland/Stoughton, passed away on February 26, 2026 at Aspirus Wisconsin Rapids Hospital.

Mike was born on April 12, 1957 to Arnold and Mary (Anderson) Kalhagen. He was the first of four children born to Arnie and Mary and was the protective older brother of his siblings Patty, Jerry, and Jeanne. Mike is remembered as strong-willed, stubborn, and a bit mischievous. Growing up he loved to tease his siblings and the neighborhood kids.

Mike’s first job was being a newspaper carrier with Madison Newspapers. He had the largest newspaper route in McFarland. In 1970, Mike was selected as “Outstanding Newspaperboy” for his district. With his earnings, he opened his first checking account at 12 years old. He still had that account at the time of his passing.

Mike graduated from McFarland High School in 1975. He went on to receive his associate’s degree in Auto Mechanics from MATC. Mike’s auto career began at Dvorak’s Chevrolet in Stoughton. Mike went on to work at Insulcrete Inc. as their mechanic. Eventually Mike opened his own shop in Stoughton and fixed cars, trucks, farm equipment, and more. Mike could literally fix anything!

Mike enjoyed the outdoors. Grandpa Kalhagen taught Mike how to fish. Mike could filet fish almost as well as grandpa. Hunting also brought Mike joy. Deer hunting season was one of Mike’s favorite times of year. He enjoyed spending time with his father, brother, nephew Eric, and friends at the family’s property outside of Necedah, which became Mike’s home in his last years. Mike also enjoyed playing darts and pool, NASCAR, the Packers, feeding the wildlife in his backyard, reading, cats, and eating home cooked meals whenever he could. He was especially appreciative of the chili that his niece Lisa would make for him to take up north during hunting season after his mother had passed.

Mike was generous to a fault. He was always willing to lend a hand, give a ride, or share a joke. Even as Mike got into his later years and his body started to fail him, he continued to bring smiles and joy to family and friends. His family would look forward to his daily updates on which critters were visiting his backyard. When he couldn’t sleep at night, he would color pictures for his great nieces and send them in the mail. This brought smiles to all our faces.

Mike is survived by his sister, Jeanne (Paul) Keller; nieces and nephew, Lisa (Chris) Kennedy, Eric (Nikki) Landen, and Allison Keller; and great nieces, Lauren and Aria.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Arnold and Mary Kalhagen; siblings, Jerry Kalhagen and Patty Landen.

A visitation and meal gathering will take place from 10AM until 12PM on Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Cress Funeral Service, 5801 Highway 51, McFarland, WI 53558.