Regan, Michael J.

Michael J. Regan, 67, of Waukon, died Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2013, at his home in rural Waukon. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 21, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon, with Father Joseph Schneider and the Rev. Monsignor Ed Lechtenberg officiating. Burial will be at St. Mary's Lycurgus Cemetery, Waukon. Friends may call from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon, where there will be a 3 p.m. Scripture service.

Michael John Regan was born Aug. 17, 1945, in Waukon. His parents were William Maurice and Angella Mary (Schulte) Regan. Mike was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary's Lycurgus Catholic Church, attended Lycurgus rural school, and graduated from Waukon High School in 1963. On July 10, 1965, he married Joyce Marie Troendle at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon.

Mike began farming with his family and over the years developed his own operation running a dairy herd and raising grain. He loved the farming life and commented he was “born with a pitchfork in my hand.” Mike took great pride in his farm and spent countless hours maintaining his machinery and buildings. He enjoyed working with his International Harvestor tractors and Ford trucks and loved to visit with other farmers at machinery auctions and sales.

Mike was a board member at the Calhoun Creamery, where he served as president and secretary for a combined 21 years from 1977 to 1998. He also spent 20 years as leader of the Flying Farmers 4-H Club, a club he had been a member of as a young boy. He also was an Honorary Chapter Farmer of FFA.

Mike enjoyed tractor pulls, hunting, fishing, and racing, following NASCAR as well as local stock car races. He also enjoyed baseball, playing in high school and on the city team as well as in local softball leagues. Some of Mike's favorite times were spent playing with his grandkids.

Survivors include his wife, Joyce of Waukon; his six children, Frannie (Mike) Decker, Maury (Stacey), Robert “Bob” (Jody) and Trish (Corey) Shelton, and Paul, all of Waukon, and Michael “Mick” of Iowa City; 11 grandchildren, Andrew, Corey and Erin Decker, Brent, Blake, Brandon and Hailey Regan, Marissa, Caitlin and Abby Shelton and Katie Regan; three sisters, Mary (Darrell) Henning of Postville and Rosella (Greg) Piggott and Joan (Scott) Anderson, both of Waukon; and six brothers, Dennis (Betty), Frank (Mary) and Matt, all of Waukon, and Bill (Karen), Ron (Mary) and Charlie (Connie), all of Lansing.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Honorary casketbearers are Mary Henning, Rosella Piggott and Joan Anderson. Casketbearers are Dennis, Frank, Bill, Ron, Charlie and Matt Regan.

Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.

Published Jan. 19, 2013 in The Gazette