With hearts full of love, gratitude, and sorrow, we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Theresa Ann Michalski (nee Lindner/ Merkel), on August 13, 2026 at the age of 95, at Marshfield Medical Center, with family at her side. While we mourn her passing, we know that Heaven’s choir just gained a new voice.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 am on Tuesday, August 25, 2026 at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, Marshfield with visitation from 9:30 am until the time of service. Father Jeffery Hennes and Father Tom Lindner will officiate. A livestream will be available on Tess’s obituary page at the time of service. Tess’s son in laws and grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Burial will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Marshfield, with immediate family only. Lunch will be provided in the church basement after the family returns from the cemetery.

Tess was born on December 1, 1930, on the family farm, to Andrew and Katherine (Griese) Lindner. She was fond of telling the story that her parents were not aware they were having twins until she was born-39 minutes before her sister Joan- and that their parents each got the name they preferred for the new additions to the family. She attended Greenwood High School graduating in the class of 1949. Tess was united in marriage to the love of her life, Eugene J. “Porky” Merkel on June 23, 1955 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Greenwood. Eugene passed away on March 23, 1983. She later married Robert L. Michalski Sr. on June 14, 1986 at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Marshfield. Bob passed away on February 26, 2010.

From humble beginnings during the Great Depression, Tess learned the value of hard work, resilience and deep devotion to family and faith. Growing up, we often heard the stories of her early life on the farm. Milking six cows, swimming in and skating on the creek, wearing flour sack dresses, one bike for all the kids and helping pick an acre of green beans were oft-told memories. Through her story-telling we got to know her and dad as people, not just parents.

Tess found great joy in music and dancing and was a member of the Sweet Adelines singing group for over thirty years, participating until the age of 91. She was always generous with her time and energy. She was deeply devoted to her faith and was very proud of her children and grandchildren. She greatly enjoyed listening to and singing along with son in laws Dan and Jim, grandsons Jordan and Ethan and granddaughter Lily when the guitars came out. She especially enjoyed singing Christmas carols with daughter in law Kris on piano. She was an enthusiastic supporter of granddaughters Emily and Hanna at their many dance and gymnastics events. She lovingly gave back to her community with years of service on various committees at church and numerous volunteer positions at the hospital. Tess also had a special love for flowers and gardening, bringing beauty and warmth to those around her. She will forever be remembered for her quiet grace, ability to always see the good in others, her generosity, sharp wit and hatred for those detestable green beans!!

Tess retired in 1986 from her job as a bookkeeper for the JC Penney store in Marshfield. Prior to that she worked for many years in various positions at Marshfield Clinic and St. Joseph’s Hospital. Her retirement years were spent working in her flower beds and traveling with Bob and family. Decades were spent meeting dear friends for coffee klatch, sharing family news and socializing. Tess looked forward to this gathering of friends into her early 90's. She loved time spent 'up north' with family and endless rounds of marathon Crazy 8 card games (which she won with inordinate frequency!) No matter how she may have been feeling at the time, when asked how she was doing her standard response was “Fit as a fiddle and twice as sharp”.

She is survived by her children, Keith (Kristine) Merkel of Marshfield, Debra (Larry Betsch) Merkel of Bainbridge Island, WA, Diane (Jim) Felhofer of Stevens Point, WI, Denise (Dan) Calhoun of North Branch, MN, and Darla (Steve) Fall of Hudson, WI. She is also survived by grandchildren Jordan (Erika Otto) and Ethan Felhofer, Matthew Betsch, Emily and Hanna Merkel, and Lily Fall. Also surviving are step granddaughters Meghan Guillen, Mountlake Terrace, WA and Bronwyn Wright, Edmonds, WA and step great grandchildren Vivian and Dominic Guillen and Keegan and Mikayla Wright. Additionally, she is survived by Bob’s children Shari (Frank) Collas of Onalaska, WI and Robert L. Michalski of Gilbert, AZ. and step grandchildren, Lori (Joe) Krawczyk, Heidi (Don) Tempesta, Mac and Keaton Collas, and five step great grandchildren, Sophie, Sam, and Kylie Krawczyk, and Alex and Ava Tempesta.

She is further survived by her brother, Thomas Lindner of Marshfield, and sisters, Joan Hughes of St. Paul, Minnesota, Carmen Neste of Renton, Washington and an abundance of treasured nieces and nephews. You were all important to and loved by her.

Tess was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, granddaughter Madeline Fall, brothers Robert, Vincent, and Andrew Lindner, and sisters Lucille Lindner and Rita Stewart and Bob’s daughter Sandra (and her husband Ronald) Hansen and daughter-in-law Peggy Michalski.

The family would like to thank Tess’s Marshfield Medical Center heart care team members Dr. Shaw, Kris Gilkerson, and Jessica Geiger for the excellent care provided to Tess over the years.

We also thank the staff at Aster Assisted Living, Marshfield for the care and compassion provided to Tess for the past several years while she resided there.

Memorials may be designated to Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, the American Heart Association, or the Marshfield Medical Center Foundation.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, the Lord willing and the crick don’t rise”.