Mike Stoessel

It is with profound sadness and gratitude that the family of Mike Stoessel, 81, announces his peaceful
passing due to congestive heart failure at his home in Eau Claire, WI on Friday, November 7, 2025. 

Born Gary Michael Stoessel to Donald J. and Esther (Schweinefus) Stoessel in West Union, Iowa on May
3, 1944, he declared himself “Me Mike” about age 3 when he could not pronounce the “r” of his first
name. He was baptized and confirmed at Bethel Presbyterian Church, West Union, and graduated in
1962 from what is now North Fayette High School where he played basketball, baseball, and golf. He
then attended the State College of Iowa (now UNI), Ellsworth Community College, and Wayne State (NE)
College, a left-handed pitcher for the latter two baseball teams.  He returned to Iowa and finally finished
his B.S. degree in Business (PE minor) at Upper Iowa University in 1967. His first employment was with Wilson Sporting Goods. 

On December 27, 1969, he married Robin Van Dyke, in Davenport, IA and they made their home in
Altoona, IA before moving to Webster City, IA where he was hired by Farmers State Bank. Twins, Holly
and Jodie, were born in 1973, and Mike quickly became adept at preparing two dozen bottles of formula
at a time and changing diapers as needed. 

In 1974, the family moved to Sumner, IA. where Mike was a loan officer and vice-president at First State Bank. He was also a member of the United Methodist Church and the Sumner Lions. He and Robin built their home, welcomed a third daughter, Annie, in 1977 and enjoyed the Sumner community for 41 years.  Mike was an avid golfer and sports enthusiast, but loved watching Annie play volleyball most of all. He devotedly drove to her practices and all over the country through her high school and college careers. 

Mike and Robin moved to Eau Claire, WI in 2017 to be closer to their grandkids, Abby and Tucker. Mike
continued to enjoy golf, reading, and watching all sports, but his greatest enjoyment in retirement was
being a volunteer transporter at the Mayo Clinic. He will be missed by all he made smile or laugh… which
was pretty much everybody. 

Mike is survived by his wife, Robin, 3 daughters: Holly Bobo (Tom), Anchor Point, AK, Jodie Stoessel,
Cedar Rapids, IA, Ann Stoessel, Ankeny, IA, 2 grandchildren, Abigail and Tucker Bobo. Anchor Point, AK,
brother and sister-in-law, Bob & Jean Stoessel, Arlington, TX, 2 nieces, 3 grandnephews, and 2
grandnieces. He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, and many aunts and uncles. 

A memorial service will be held Saturday, November 22, 2025 @ 10:00a.m. CST at First Congregational Church, 310 Broadway, Eau Claire, WI, with visitation one hour beforehand at 9:00a.m. The service will be livestreamed through First Congregational UCC’s website, http://www.firstucceauclaire.org (click “HERE” on the main photo to access the Zoom link), or you can click here Mike's Funeral Live Stream. Meeting ID: 820 3114 8405  // Passcode: worship

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Special Olympics - Iowa, The The Zach Johnson Foundation or Excelerating Sumner (110 ½ W. 1st St., Sumner, IA 50674). 

Special thanks to Mayo Health System for their extensive care, First Congregational Church staff for their
help, Hulke Family Funeral Home for their assistance, and to all the friends and family who prayed and
supported Mike and Robin through the 2-year journey preceding his death. 

“As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” – Joshua 24:15

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