Michael John Colgan

Michael John Colgan, 67, passed away peacefully on November 18,2021, after a courageous year-long battle against a severe cardiac condition.

Michael was born May 21, 1954, in West Allis, Wisconsin, and later moved with his family to Brookfield, Wisconsin, as a grade schooler. He graduated from Marquette University High School in 1972. In 1976, he graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire with a bachelor’s degree in political science. He then earned a juris doctorate degree at Hamline School of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota. He was admitted to the Wisconsin and Minnesota bars. Michael started his law practice in Milwaukee and moved to La Crosse in 1981.

Michael will be remembered for his storytelling and will be missed for his enthusiastic approach to work during his career in serving clients in many different areas of the law. He loved the courtroom and was a well-prepared, dedicated and zealous advocate. His commitment to representing the interests of his clients — many being children and parents — was equaled by his enthusiasm for his many hobbies. An avid Packers, Badgers and Bucks fan, he loved attending games at Lambeau or seeing away games around the country with his family, his siblings and his many nieces and nephews. Michael loved music and playing the guitar and enjoyed performing with his bandmates.

He met Lori Shedesky 20 years ago, and they were married on July 25, 2015. They enjoyed socializing with friends, staying connected with special college buddies, golfing and vacationing in Florida. A highlight of their life was sharing time with their granddaughters in Milwaukee. Some best memories of Michael are playing Santa on Christmas morning, Oktoberfest breakfasts, Scotcheroos, driving everyone home at night, coaching and playing football, hanging with friends at Schmidty’s and Earl’s and playing with his band “Shitty.”

He is survived by his wife, Lori, and his four daughters, Melissa Colgan and her husband, Dan Schned, of Washington, DC, Alexandra (Bill) Port and their daughters Georgia and Josephine of New Berlin, WI, Kristina and her fiancé, Sam Olson, of Greenfield, WI, and Gretchen Turner of Milwaukee, WI. He is also survived by his first wife, Ann (Irwin) Shattuck of Coon Valley, WI; and his six brothers and sisters, Kevin (Barbara) of Spring Lakes Heights, NJ, Bill (Vicki) of Eureka, AR, Maureen (Stephen) Posner of Springfield, MA, Sheila Colgan of Minneapolis, MN, Kathy (Kevin) McDermott of Frederick, MD, and Timothy (Amy) of Dillsburg, PA, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William (Bill) L. and Kathleen “Kaye” (McCabe) Colgan.

A very sincere thank you to Dr. Paramesh and Barb Rugen-Rendler and the staff at Gundersen La Crosse for taking such good care of Michael during his stay.

A memorial gathering is scheduled for 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 10, with a prayer service to begin at 6:30 p.m., at Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services, 200 West Ave. S., La Crosse. An Irish Wake is scheduled for 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11, at Earl’s Grocery & Saloon, 401 Third St. S., La Crosse.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.schumacher-kish.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to The Parenting Place at 1500 Green Bay St., La Crosse, WI 54601 or make checks payable to “Aquinas Middle School Football Program” and sent to Aquinas at 315 11th St. S., La Crosse, WI 54601.