Joseph W. Michalski

Funeral Mass for Joseph William Michalski, 91, of Hoyt Lakes, will be 10:30am Friday, April 28, 2017 at Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Hoyt Lakes with Fr. Peter Lambert as celebrant. Visitation will be one hour prior to the mass at church. Burial with military honors accorded by the Aurora/Hoyt Lakes Color Guard will be in the Hoyt Lakes Memorial Cemetery. Arrangements by Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Aurora. Joseph died Monday, April 24, 2017 at Essentia Health – Northern Pines in Aurora, MN. Joseph was born May 8, 1925 in Marshfield, WI to Joseph and Frances (Mauer) Michalski. Following his schooling, he was drafted into the US Navy and served during World War II on the destroyer USS Otter. Following his military service, he played semi-pro football for the Wausau Wisconsin Muskies. On May 28, 1949 he married Hazel Cork. In 1957 the family moved to Hoyt Lakes where he worked as a mechanic for Erie Mining Company. He retired from there in 1987. Joseph was a member of Queen of Peace Catholic Church and the Timothy Robinson VFW Post in Hoyt Lakes. Joseph was an avid fisherman and whitetail deer hunter. He especially enjoyed time spent at the cabin on Whiteface. Survivors include his children: Kathleen (Matthew) Crep of Hoyt Lakes, Gregory (Julie) Michalski of Eveleth and Steven (Colleen) Michalski of Aurora; grandchildren: Dena (David) Pietila, Stacia (John) Vucenich, Keith (Christie) Crep, Ashley (Josh) Heizen, Katie (Tyler) Ranta and Eric (Sarah) Michalski; great grandchildren: Matthew Crep, Addison Crep, Camryn Crep, Kaylah Latta, Malina Heizen, Michael Ranta, Margo Ranta, Keegan Michalski and one expected great grandchild; several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, wife, Hazel and his siblings: Vivian, Alice, Marion, Ray, Clem and Jerome.