Michael Beyreis

Michael Karl Beyreis

Heaven has gained a much-loved, special man.

Michael was born in Bad Soden, Germany on August 31, 1949 to Charles and Johanna Beyreis. Due to his father’s Air Force career, they lived in Germany, Spain, California, Oklahoma, and Wisconsin.

During his teen years he was in the Civil Air Patrol, worked as a lifeguard and inspected glass bottles at the RC Cola plant in Altus, OK.

He was part of the high school stage band where he played the tenor saxophone. As part of “That Altus Band” they won state and national finals in Colorado. The band also made an album of songs that was put on a 33-RPM vinyl record. He started his guitar playing with a garage band in his early teens, then joined a band that was called The Electric Funeral in 1965 that played 50 and 60’s songs. They transported their equipment in a gold-colored hearse, and played throughout Oklahoma, Texas (Dallas and Houston areas) and into Arkansas.

He went to college at OSU for 2 years. After coming to Wisconsin for summer vacation in 1971 he never went back after he met the love of his life, Barbara Robotka. They were wed on June 3, 1972 and celebrated almost 50 years of marriage.
He spent 30 years as part of the Rice Lake Police Department. He started his career as one of the first RLPD Reserve Officers in the early 1970’s and worked dispatch, then patrol and ended his career as a Sergeant (Shift Commander) working 12-hour shifts from 6:00pm to 6:00am.

His favorite pastimes were doing the New York Times crossword puzzles in ink and in various ways (working from outside edges in, from center and working out or in blocks); he was able to realign a Rubik Cube in less than 3 minutes and he loved to play guitars (rhythm, bass, acoustic), the key board, and saxophone. Let’s not forget his wonderful singing voice. The computer was his favorite mind stimulator with programming, and he was constantly analyzing anything that had to do with black holes, physics and world history. During healthier times, he would get on his Harley and just ride for hours enjoying the freedom of the road. He started oil painting in the last year of life.

He leaves behind his beloved wife Barbara, his little buddy Smokey, Mother Johanna Beyreis, Sisters: Susan Bellman, Tammy (Mary Jo) Beyreis-Heim, Brothers: Patrick Beyreis, Gordon (Mary Lou) Beyreis
Sisters-In-Law: Kathy Gohde, Peggy Gassler, Brothers-in-Law: Don (Iwa) Robotka, Ronald Robotka, William (Anita) Robotka, John (Jessica) Robotka and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his father Charles Beyreis, In-Laws: Joseph and Marjorie Robotka, Brothers-in Law: Eugene Matts, Allan Gohde, Thomas Gassler, Nieces: Kari, Jeanyne, Alyne Matts, Stacey Wilkins, and Nephews: Hunter Robotka, Bryan Wagner

Per his final request, there will be no funeral service and interment at Woodlawn Cemetery in Birchwood, WI. will be at a later date.

The family wishes to thank the Marshfield Medical Center of Rice Lake Oncology Department and the Marshfield Medical Center of Rice Lake Hospice staff for their special care, compassion and support during his hard-fought, courageous battle against cancer.