Maurice E Michelbook
Maurice E. Michelbook age 93 of Menomonie, died Monday January 24, 2011 at the American Lutheran Home in Menomonie.
Maurie was born Aug. 3, 1917, in Menomonie, the son of Nicholas and Anna (Jesse) Michelbook. He attended schools in Menomonie, graduating in 1936 from Menomonie High School. On Dec. 26, 1941, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was called to duty on Feb. 2, 1942. His tour of duty, which continued until 1945, took him to the southwest Pacific where he served as a signalman.
After receiving his discharge, he joined his dad and his brother, Lawrence, in 1946 in the operation of the Michelbook Service Co. at 720 Main St. A few years later, he assumed sole ownership when his dad retired and his brother established Michelbook Marine. Maurie owned and operated the service station/repair shop for many years until he sold the business to Larry Stress.
Besides operating his own business, Maurie also served as manager of the PM Oil Co., which resulted from the merger of the Pittman Bros. (Jack and Bernie) and Michelbook bulk fuel businesses.
When Maurie wasn’t pumping gas or checking tires, he devoted his time to athletics – both as a participant and by providing financial support. Competing in bowling leagues when conditions were entirely different than they are today, Maurie rolled a 717 series, which was the second ABC sanctioned 700 bowled in Menomonie. While the 717 was a tremendous achievement, Maurie always said that his “personal highlight” was beating Andy Varipapa, a professional bowler, in a match game at the Pla-Mor Lanes on South Broadway. In recognition of these accomplishments, Maurie was inducted into the Menomonie Bowling Association Hall of Fame.
While devoting his winter free time to bowling, Maurie spent his summer hours on the baseball diamond. Throughout his life, he was a student of the game and rarely missed a televised Milwaukee Brewer game. He began his managerial career in 1946 when he teamed with Pine Hardy to co-direct the Menomonie Eagles. This relationship continued for three years and in 1950, with Maurie serving as manager, the Eagles won the Wisconsin Amateur Baseball Association championship. Maurie continued as manager of the Eagles through the 1955 season.
An avid supporter of Menomonie High and University of Wisconsin-Stout athletic teams, Maurie provided the first “substantial” gift that led to the construction of the Don and Nona Williams Stadium on the UW-Stout campus. In 1985, a grateful university presented Maurie with the University of Wisconsin-Stout Distinguished Athletic Service Award. He also supported Menomonie High athletics as a member of the Menomonie Athletic Booster Club (MABC).
Other athletic interests included countless fishing trips to Canada and golfing.
Maurie was a longtime member of the Menomonie Lions Club and during the years served the organization as treasurer and director.
Maurie married high school classmate Mary Clark, of Menomonie, June 4, 1955. She passed away in 1990. On June 13, 1997, he married another high school classmate, Beatrice (Sand) Mitchell of Scottsdale, Ariz.
Maurie is survived by his wife, Beatrice; brother Lawrence (Betty) Michelbook of Menomonie; nephews and niece, Ron (Jan) Jordan, JoAnn (Warren) Wegenke both of Menomonie; Bert (Carol) Jordan of Altoona; and Glenn (Rhonda) Jordan of Phoenix, AZ.
He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Mary; and sisters JoAnn Michelbook and Ruth Jordan.