Michael Terwelp

Michael G. Terwelp, 85, of Grafton, passed away on January, 24 2025 after a long and eventful life. Mike met the love of his life, Rosemary (nee Jund) while cruising in a Buick Roadmaster convertible with his friend Joe Apollo. Mike and Rose went for ice cream the next day, and stayed together until her passing nearly 40 years later in 2000. Shortly after they first met, he was called up in the National Guard for 9 months. He and Rose wrote to each other every day while he was on duty, and we, their children, still have the letters. Together they joined the Christian Family Movement at St. Joseph's and made life long friends in the Doerrs, Schanens, Kolzes, Hamms, and Herbsts. They would study and pray on humanitarian issues like poverty, hunger, and world peace ... and then take action. Like the time he met Fr. Pedrinho Guareshi, who shared stories of the favelas in Brazil. Mike decided he and George Doerr would bring their families (including five kids 12 and younger) to Brazil to help out. And so they did. This, and other charitable works, led to decades of community service. He joined his church leadership and helped start the St. Benedicts' Meal Program at St. Joseph's parish. Mike volunteered at the Society of St. Vincent DePaul until he was no longer able, helping many people get the basics so they could live dignified lives. He also volunteered at Habitat for Humanity and, unprompted, built another large garage on his property so Habitat could store surplus supplies there. He also provided personal charity, letting the occasional person, down on their luck, use his motorhome to live in for a short time while they got back on their feet. He worked as a manufacturing engineer manager at ATACO Steel, a company his father Albert helped found, for nearly 40 years. He had many accomplishments there, helping them to build their business. However, he was most proud of the safety measures he implemented that significantly reduced worker injuries. Mike was his own person. If he came to a point where there were two ways to go, he would blaze a third way. For example, at his granddaughter Kat's Lego league robotics competition years ago, while most grandparents and parents squinted from their seats to see their children's robots compete, he walked up to the table with the team. No one said anything to the elderly gentleman, and he ended up with the best view. He was very proud of his children and grandchildren and enjoyed supporting their many activities and achievements - especially when a good meal was involved. Mike believed in having a good time and loved getting together with friends to celebrate events. After he moved to assisted living, he held his 85th birthday with his friends and the residents, providing Tomaso's pizza and cake for all. Mike had a great sense of humor and an original way of looking at and living life. He had three pre-funeral parties over the years. He said that this accomplishes two things. You get to say goodbye to people in person who may not be able to make it to your funeral, and they can't talk badly about you because you are there to contradict them. Also, you get to eat, drink and have some laughs. Mike was a unique individual who loved his banks, trains, and tchotchkes uniquely. Each of his objets d'art contained a story, about where he bought it, who he was with (usually his friend Jerry Herbst), and the negotiation involved to get it. The memories surrounding his collections seemed more valuable than the collections themselves. A few days before he went in the hospital for the last time, he mentioned how awful he felt for those in the California fires and that he sent a donation. This exemplifies how he lived his life, and the message he left for us. Whether convenient for you or not, help people in need and those less fortunate than you, following whatever path your conscience, moral, and ethical compasses lead. Oh, and love what you love: trains, banks, knickknacks, sports teams, people, etc., and don't be afraid to let everyone know. Mike was born to Eternal Life January 24, 2025. Preceded in death by his first wife Rosemary (nee Jund), 2000 and his brother Robert Terwelp (2017). He is survived by his children Wendy J. Terwelp, Kristin K. Terwelp and Michael J. (Julie T.) Terwelp; his sisters Lynda Sokolowski and Joyce Barrett; and former wife Kathy Carter. Enthusiastic grandfather of Katerina Terwelp and Jackson Terwelp. Also survived by nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many friends. CELEBRATION OF LIFE SERVICE  will be on Saturday February 1, at St Joseph Church, 1619 Washington St. (Hwy 60), Grafton. Family will receive visitors at the church, from 11am - 12pm, until time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Society of St. Vincent DePaul https://svdpozaukee.org/donate-money-to-charity/ or Habitat for Humanity ozhh.org.