Michael Krouth

Michael “Mike” D. Krouth, 71, Green Bay, died peacefully Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023, at St. Vincent Hospital. He entered this world in that very hospital on Dec. 15, 1951, into the loving arms of his parents, Thecla “Teckie” (Safford) and John “Jack” Krouth. 

Mike grew up in the Astor Park neighborhood, attending St. Mary of the Angels School and graduating from East High School. One of his first jobs was at his family’s hardware store on Webster Avenue. He started studies at UWGB but left early to pursue his entrepreneurial dreams.

In his early years, Mike bought and renovated homes, owned and operated a pizza parlor, and built a house. His independent business endeavors were put on hold when he took a steady job with his family’s business, Griffin Industries, to support his family.

As Mike’s hard work brought financial stability, he could have chosen to buy a bigger house. Instead, he chose to take his three children on trips across the US and Europe. He encouraged their curiosity, allowing them to have a say in where they would go and what they would explore each day, a spontaneous approach that led to adventure and unimagined discoveries.

Mike returned to entrepreneurial pursuits full-time in 1999. He enjoyed many years managing his residential and commercial properties in Green Bay, as well as working with his son to buy, fix and sell boats across the country. He was a hands-on guy. Like his father before him, he could fix just about anything. And like his mother, he demanded perfection in every project he started. He treated his tenants with care and respect, assuring that they had what they needed and their rents were reasonable. Financial profit was not his sole motivation.

Mike was deeply invested in the happiness of others. He touched countless people with his lively spirit, engaging conversation (including plenty of banter, nonsense, and b.s.), and deep care. He loved making people smile, laughing together, and just having fun. He found joy in taking people water skiing, working out at the YMCA, and indulging in pizza and frozen custard (all-time fave: Zesty’s Turtle Delite).

Mike’s generosity was boundless. He gave material aid to various causes and people down on their luck, whether friend or stranger. He delighted in delivering cheesecakes to the shelter at St. John’s Ministries for Christmas! And even in death, he gave the gift of life through cornea and tissue donation.

Mike’s greatest and most endearing gift, though, was sharing his time and attention with others. He loved helping people solve their problems -- from offering a quick fix, if he could, to strategizing with them as they faced difficult situations. He often probed beneath the surface of conversations, asking: “How are you doing in your head?” It was an invitation to move to a heart-to-heart conversation about one’s attitudes and mental well-being.

People looked to Mike for advice and support, so he was a natural mentor. He was a father figure to many young men and was especially motivated to see them become good fathers themselves. Mike also accompanied several people on their journey to sobriety, drawing from his own experience in his younger years.

Mike had the good fortune to drive across the country to spend winters in San Diego with his grandchildren, Maddox and Ivy. He did everything from diaper duty to school pick-up to spending hours at the park. Many said that he was their “third parent.” At the end of his life, Mike’s good-bye to Maddox and Ivy was the most heartbreaking to him. The day before he died, he said, “Those kids are so full of s**t.” (Which is to say, they were just like him: bright, witty, and caring.) Then he said more quietly, almost to himself, "They're just perfect."

Mike is survived by his children Kim (Ben Feifarek), Patrick (Yesenia), and Lauren (Kevin Gayton); grandchildren Mandell Mathis and the lights of his life, Maddox and Ivy; great-grandchild Zaiden Mathis; the mother of his children, Barb; sister Tina; brothers Terry (Chris) and Kevin (Debra); sister-in-law Linda, brother-in-law Bert Gagnon, many nieces and nephews who loved him dearly; friends Alan Kane and Diann Wimmer; friend and business partner Dan Bain; and other buddies too numerous to count, but here’s a start: Lucy Hilgendorf, Paul Murphy, Juan Grijalva, RJ DeLain, Taylor Markiewicz, and Adam Richmond.

Mike was preceded in death by his beloved mother and father; sister Lynn Gagnon; brother Thomas; and buddy George “Longfellow” Longely, who Mike cared for right up until George’s final breath.

Visitation at Malcore Funeral Home, 701 N. Baird Street, Friday, January 5, 2024, from 9am until the time of the service. Memorial service at 11am at the funeral home.  To live stream the service please use the following link

https://youtube.com/live/S8Upal7oBcE

The family would like to thank the team that helped Mike live life to the fullest with pulmonary fibrosis: Dr. Nathan Sandbo at UW Madison; Dana “Wanda the Nutcracker” Lehrer at Sherman Counseling; Judy Feld at Prevea; Amanda, Crystal, and team at Bellin Pulmonary Rehab; Samantha Sargent at Bellin Fitness; Mel from Home Instead; and the Unity Hospice team.

We can best honor Mike’s life by helping others. Donations to St. John’s Ministries are also a beautiful tribute.