Our dad/husband, Michael John Wollin, departed this world on April 29, 2026. Born on August 23, 1947, in Janesville, Wisconsin, Michael left this earth surrounded by family and his loving wife.

Mich (as he preferred to be called) was the beloved son of Roy and Helen (Milius) and older sibling to brothers Steve and David. Growing up in Janesville, he was shaped by a strong religious upbringing due to the fact that his maternal grandfather was a minister. One of Mich’s favorite stories to tell about growing up was about being made to take piano lessons. He hated them, particularly the daily practicing, and, as he told it, finally wore his mother down and was able to quit. His dogged persistence and insistence on doing things his own way would be a recurring theme throughout his life. In 1965, Mich graduated from Janesville High School and in 1968 he met his future wife, Donna Rae Greene, in Schmidts Department Store where they both worked. They married on October 11, 1969, embarking on a 59-year marriage that was full of chaos and love. They had three daughters together: Donella in 1971, Tekoni in 1976 and Naomi in 1981.

With a love of learning that would end up shaping his entire life, Mich pursued higher education at UW Whitewater. He earned his undergraduate degree there in 1969 and later, his Master's Degree in 1978. In 1970 he enlisted in the US Army Security Agency, serving for 18 months as a Chaplain’s Assistant at a base in Virginia. His service was important to him and he was an avid supporter of veterans. Later in life he would create a Wall of Remembrance at Mount Horeb High School and in 2018 he was privileged to participate in a Badger Honor Flight to Washington DC.

Mich began his teaching career at Edgewood High School in 1972, before finding his home at Mount Horeb High School, where he taught from 1974 until his retirement in 2005. For 33 years he taught by the motto "Question Everything.” Love him or hate him, students left his classes with critical thinking skills and an appreciation for debate. He also produced and directed numerous theatrical productions in the high school's Little Theater along with his coworker and friend David VanNatta. Most importantly, Mount Horeb was where he found his love for coaching cross country and track, finding great success and achievement. Mich created well-respected, championship programs that included numerous State titles for “The Dreaded Red”. He would yell, inspire and mentor on and off the field.

Mich was able to combine his love of teaching with traveling by taking high school students on educational tours to Russia and Europe. He did this every other summer from 1986 to 2000, opening up the world for more than 90 students over the years. Mich was also a Youth Advisor for Mount Horeb United Methodist Church. This role, amongst other things, allowed him to chaperone groups of high schoolers on the Appalachian Service Project and canoe trips through the Boundary Waters.

As busy as Mich and Donna were with their jobs and raising their children, they still decided to become foster parents. They opened their hearts and home to over 70 newborns through Catholic Social Services throughout the years. When it came to his own daughters, Mich loved to roller skate with them, take them to movies on snow days, give them free reign over house redecorating projects (much to his wife’s chagrin), and shower them with ridiculous gifts at Christmas. He also enjoyed making them get out of bed way too early on Saturdays to cut and stack wood. Afterwards, he would take them to RPM’s for cheese curds and malts to make it up to them. Mich raised his daughters to be strong and independent and to take crap from no one.

In retirement, Mich worked at Al Hawley's auction and delivered the Isthmus newspaper. After he and Donna moved to Sun Prairie, WI, he served as an AVID tutor and was a beloved crossing guard for Northside Elementary. His favorite role, however, was as a chauffeur for his grandchildren and a supporter at their sporting events. He was a fixture at their track meets and hockey games.

Known for his quick wit and sarcastic humor, Mich was a master of debate and a demanding yet devoted son, brother, husband, father, and grandfather. He was preceded in death by his parents Roy and Helen and his brother, David. He is survived by his wife, Donna, daughters Donella Lyans (Ben), Tekoni Maughan (Doug), and Naomi Ray (Jason), brother Steve Wollin, as well as his nine grandchildren—Sidney, Lexy, Bailey, Aidan, Dashle, Mylerson, Raesana, Oscar, and Johanna—and two great-grandchildren, Callan and Hadley.

A celebration of Mich's life will be held on July 26, 2026, at 1:00 PM at District 1 Old School House, located at 110 N. 2nd Street, Mt. Horeb, WI. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Mich's name to Agrace Hospice at 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI 53711 or online at Agrace.org/Donate.

The family extends their deepest gratitude to the staff at Sienna Crest Fort Atkinson and Agrace Hospice, particularly his social worker Hanna and nurse Karissa, for treating Mich with compassion and dignity, allowing his true self to shine through even amidst the challenges of dementia.

Michael John Wollin's legacy will be “um” belongs between D and B only.

Cress Funeral Service

1310 Emerald Terrace, Sun Prairie, WI 53590

608-837-9054