Full Obituary

MICHAEL T. DIETRICH, age 57, of Holcombe, formerly of Thorp, passed away unexpectedly at his lake home on Thursday, December 11, 2014. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11am on Wednesday, December 17, 2014 at St. Bernard-St. Hedwig's Catholic Church in Thorp. Rev. Janusz Kowalski will officiate and burial will take place in St. Bernard's Catholic Cemetery at a later date. Pallbearers will be Travis Dietrich, Jake Dietrich, Zach Dietrich, Denny Dietrich, Matt Dietrich, Kelly Nolechek, Tom Meckley and Joe Jaskot. Visitation will be held from 4pm to 8pm on Tuesday, December 16, 2014 at Thorp Funeral Home, and again on Wednesday, at the church, from 10am until time of service.
Michael Thomas Dietrich was born on May 12, 1957, in Chippewa Falls, WI, the son of Karl "Tucker" and Lucille (LeTendre) Dietrich, Jr. On June 19, 1976, he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Christine Nolechek, in Neillsville. Mike worked construction most of his adult life, both for UEL Construction Company, in Chippewa Falls, and later for Stelter Incorporated in Eagleton, WI. He was an avid Green Bay Packer fan, NASCAR fan, and Country Western music fan. His other life passions and enjoyments included: spending time with family and friends, get-togethers at his home on the lake, cooking and grilling, boating on his pontoon, campfires, deer hunting, four wheeling, ice fishing, winemaking, bird watching, and joke telling. He also took several trips to Montana and Lake Superior. He loved western movies and shows, especially John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, Gunsmoke and The Rifleman. He will always be remembered for his quick and witty sense of humor.
Mike will be greatly missed by his beloved family, including his devoted wife of 38 years, Chris, of Holcombe; his children: Travis (Nikki) of Thorp, Ashley Dietrich of Chippewa Falls, Jake of Thorp and Zach of Holcombe; 2 grandsons: Dawson and Tucker Dietrich of Thorp; his mother: Lucille Dietrich of Thorp; his siblings: Kate Dietrich of Thorp, Matt (Nancy) Dietrich of Thorp, Janet (Wayne) Wampole of Neillsville, Julie (Jim) Kaczmarek of Wisconsin Dells, Karen Dietrich of Thorp, Denny (Stacey) Dietrich of Greenwood, and Dawn Dietrich of Thorp; mother-in-law: Dolores Nolechek of Thorp; brothers and sisters-in-law: Jennifer (Tom) Meckley of Holcombe, Bill Nolechek of Thorp, Mary (Stash) Lis of Thorp, Nancy (Gerry) Gardner of Austin, TX, and Kelly (Laurie) Nolechek of Thorp; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, other family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by his father: Karl "Tucker" Dietrich, Jr.; paternal grandmother and grandfather: Leona and Karl Dietrich, Sr.; maternal grandmother and grandfather: Helen and Raymond LeTendre; father-in-law: William J. Nolechek, Sr.; and 2 sisters-in-law: Barb Nolechek and Tracey Nolechek.