Michael “Mudhen” Donovan Day
Michael “Mudhen” Donovan Day, a nearly lifelong resident of Prairie du Chien, Wisc., peacefully transitioned into eternal life on May 27, 2023, just before the new dawn listening to “You Raise Me Up”. He was lifted up with love surrounded by family throughout his transition. Mike was born March 3, 1956, to Niles “Buck” Day and Norma (Gentes) Day. He graduated from Prairie du Chien High School in 1974 and went on to commercial fish the mighty Mississippi River and various Wisconsin lakes for a number of years and became a Crew Leader at 3M for many years.
On April 16, 1977, he wed Kay Gordon, and to this union, the loves of his life were born: his four children, Ryan, Amanda, Barbie, and Brooke. A man of the bluffs and the river, Mike breathed the outdoors and relished in all types of hunting and fishing. He was the fondest of deer hunting and the deep connections he made during each season with his hunting party: Squeak, Duane, Brian, Eric, Ryan, Brooke, Corey, Clint, the Maresch boys, and many others over the years including Del, Roy, and John (and of course Sandy, Shirley, and Kay who provided the meals and snacks). He was quite the marksman, bagging some of the biggest bucks in the Driftless. As a river rat, he made it a priority to spend as much time as he could cruising the Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers in his boat and fishing with his brother-in-law, Del. He enjoyed sharing his passion for hunting and fishing with his family and friends, spending countless hours tromping around in the woods, the river bottoms, and channels while connecting to both the land and waters that provide and the family and friends that nourish the soul. He was the happiest when sitting in a deer stand in the woods, especially in a stand he had built. Mike was a skilled woodworker who built ladder stands for hunters throughout Wisconsin and the Midwest and made wooden rocking horses for his grandkids.
He was also extremely proud of his hometown and his French-Canadian ancestors that came to live along and on the river in the early 1850s before Prairie du Chien was incorporated. He was a source of knowledge regarding PDC and loved telling stories of the old times when his Grandpa Gentes helped build many of the houses on the Northside, or when his Grandpa Day ran a bootlegging operation out of his home in Lower Town selling moonshine to the Jesuit priests at Campion, or visiting his dad and mom when they operated the Prairie Spy Newspaper. Like many kids growing up before cellphones and computers, he could be found wasting the days away in the area sandlots with friends. He had fond memories of playing baseball and softball in PDC both during school and in local leagues after graduating.
Most importantly, Mike was a loving and kind father, always putting his kids first. He was patient, encouraging, and present. He instilled in them a love for the outdoors and camping. Most weekends in the spring and summer were spent camping at Yogi Bear in Bagley, mushroom hunting in the bluffs, on road trips in the family motor home, or cruising up and down the Mississippi and picnicking on sandbars. Mike enjoyed being on the road and exploring new areas. In 2000, Mike and his son, Ryan, went on a spontaneous 6,000-mile road trip out West including Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California, and Mexico. This was one of his most cherished adventures. He also checked off an item on his bucket list in 2019 by visiting Key West with his daughter, Amanda. A family man to the end, Mike showed all of his family undying love, just as he had learned from his mother and sisters. Mike once said that he would suffer in this world so his children wouldn’t have to. He was a man of his word.
Mike is survived by his children, his “Rah” Ryan Day (Crystal Day), his “Right-hand girl” Amanda Day (Jason Syverud), his “Pooker-pot” Barbie Kossman (Adam Kossman), and his “Dooda” Brooke Day (Eli Solow); his grandchildren, Austin, Lilly, DaVante, Tuck, Dex, Cruz, Russell, Rafe, Henry, Forest, and Baby Girl Day; his great-grandson, James Michael; his two dear older sisters, Barb “Sabu” Yager and Diane “Sach” Day; brother-in-law Del Boardman; many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws; lifelong childhood friends from PDC; the mother of his children and friend, Kay Day; and those that were always in his heart and thoughts from afar. He has now been reunited with his parents, Buck and Norma; his sister, Laraine; his brother-in-law Roy; his special childhood buddy, Art Prew; his second parents, Marty “Mushy” and Marie “Maizie” Kozelka; all his ancestors; and his long-lost right hand. Michael, Mike, Mikey, Michael Do, Brother Mike, Uncle Mike, Mudhen, Muddy Waters, Muddy, Mud, Dad, Grandpa, we will forever miss you, and thank you for the beautiful life and friendship you gave us. Rest easy.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, June 1, 2023, at 2:00 pm. at St. Gabriel’s Church of the Holy Family Parish, Msgr. Charles Stoetzel officiating with burial in the Calvary Cemetery, both in Prairie du Chien. Friends may call at the Garrity Funeral Home on Thursday from 12:00 pm. until the time of departure for church. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the American Brain Foundation in an effort to find a cure for dementia and help others who are impacted by this disease. https://www.americanbrainfoundation.org
The Garrity Funeral Home of Prairie du Chien is assisting the family. www.garrityfuneralhome.com
