Michael R. Mathison

Michael R. Mathison, 46, of Viroqua and formerly of Coon Valley died unexpectedly from complications of a brain tumor Thursday May 3, 2018 at Vernon Manor in Viroqua. Michael, the adoptive son of Francis “Frank” and Judy (Jeidy) Mathison, was born on November 14, 1971 in Dane County to Walter and Lucinda Nipple. He was a 1991 graduate of Westby High School and was a longtime resident of Viroqua.

Mike took great pride in his over 20 years of service at the Auto Value Parts store in Viroqua, starting his employment there when it was NAPA Auto Parts.  Mike loved the people at Auto Value. He also liked to stay busy mowing yards and shoveling snow for friends and the Vernon County Museum.

When the Olympic flame traveled in the summer of 1996 from Olympia, Greece to the 1996 Summer Olympics held in Atlanta, GA, the flame traveled through La Crosse, and Mike was honored to be a torch bearer, representing all Special Olympians in the area.  He jokingly referred to it as his “10 minutes of fame”.  Mike was a huge “KISS” fan, and the biggest thrill of his short life was when he got to see KISS perform at the La Crosse Center in 2016.  Mike had a lifetime love for anything music.  He knew everything about all types, but loved rock music.  He enjoyed guitar lessons and performing at Parrish Music, and had sung with Vernon Voices for many years.

No one was a stranger for long in Mike’s eyes.  He readily made friends wherever he went.  Mike was a very kind, gentle, loving and forgiving person.  “Uncle Mike” will be sadly missed by his family and his nieces and nephews, Jiamin Li, Sophie, and Ashton Mathison, and Isabelle, Penelope, and Hadyn Sternke.  He will also be missed by his cat, Peter, his many Viroqua and VARC friends and his social worker and especially by his longtime girlfriend, Teri Novy.

Mike is also survived by his adoptive parents, his brother, Bryan (Wang Fu) of Viroqua and his sister Rhonda (Chad) Sternke of Olathe, KS and 10 biological siblings. He was preceded in death by his biological parents and 3 biological siblings.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday May 9, 2018 at the Coon Valley Lutheran Church with a visitation from 9 a.m. until service time. Rev. Mitzi Miyamoto will officiate with burial in the church cemetery. The Seland Funeral Home in Coon Valley is assisting the family.