A man who loved his family, golf, ice cream, asparagus, running marathons and reading Russian history, has gone to join Paul, Tom, and Margaret, and others who have gone before him, to that peaceful place promised by Jesus. Michael S. Ariens, 83, loving husband of Mary "Mimi" Murphy Ariens for 58 years, died at home in Brillion Saturday, Feb. 28 after a brave and courageous battle with cancer. Michael was born August 16, 1931 in Oshkosh, the second son of Mando "Steve" Ariens and Kathryn "Sally" Green Ariens. Mike attended St. Mary's grade school and at age 14 played the piccolo for the Brillion city band. A 1949 graduate of Brillion High School, Michael attended St. Norbert College and is a 1954 graduate of MIT. Following military service at Fort Leonard Wood, KS, Mike and Mimi married on August 11, 1956 at St. John the Evangelist Church in Green Bay. Michael obtained his MBA from Indiana University in 1957 and began work at Cummins Engine in Columbus, IN. The family returned to Brillion in 1959 where Mike began a 55-year career at Ariens Company. At the time of his death, he was Chairman-emeritus. In addition to his wife, Michael is survived by five sons: Michael (Renee) of San Antonio, TX, Daniel (Julie) of Green Bay, Peter (Didi) of Jasper, IN, Christopher (Israel Duran) of New York City, Andrew (Brooke) of Western Springs, IL; and three daughters: Margaret Denten (Martin) of Mt. Prospect, IL, Kathryn Martell (Michael) of Burlington, and Mary Dellanina (Emo) of Mt. Prospect, IL; 22 grandchildren: Stephanie Soto (Jose), Nicholas Ariens (Elizabeth), Daniel Ariens II, Caitlin Ariens, Stephen Ariens, John Ariens, Meghan Martell, Emily Dellanina, Elise Ariens, Elizabeth Martell, Maria Dellanina, Michael Martell, Annie Ariens, Claire Ariens, Julia Ariens, Joseph Dellanina, Olivia Ariens, Molly Denten, Liam Denten, Jack Ariens, Chloe Ariens and Michael S. Ariens III, named for his grandfather; one great-grandchild, Henry Ariens, who is named for his great-great-great-grandfather; and two brothers, Patrick (Maryann) of Queensland, Australia and Stephen (Lynn) of Portland, OR. Michael was preceded in death by his son, Paul, his youngest brother, Thomas, and his sister-in-law Margaret Murphy. A business and civic leader for much of his life, Mike was a board member at Wisconsin Public Service, Schneider National, U.S. Oil, Relevant Radio, Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, Calumet County Bank, and Calumet Medical Center. Mike is a past member of professional organizations OPEI, YPO, CEO, and WPO. A former trustee at St. Mary-of-the-Woods College and St. Norbert College, where, in 1991, he received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters, Michael and Mimi are members of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre. A founder of the Cursillo movement in 1965, Michael was active in Legatus, made an annual spiritual retreat to the Jesuit Retreat House in Oskhosh, and took part in a yearly couples retreat led by Bishop Robert Morneau at Chambers Island in Door County and served on the finance council of the Green Bay Catholic Diocese. Mike and Mimi have devoted much of their lives to Catholic education. Funeral Mass will take place at 12:00 p.m. NOON on Saturday, March 7, 2015 at Holy Family Parish, 1100 West Ryan Street in Brillion. Officiating at the Mass of Christian Burial will be Rev. Timothy Brandt. Burial will take place in Holy Family Parish Cemetery. Friends may call at the church Friday evening, March 6 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. A family remembrance service will conclude the evening. Visitation will continue on Saturday morning at church from 9:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Holy Family Parish, Brillion, St. John the Evangelist Homeless Shelter, Knights for Life at St. Norbert College, or the charity of your choice. A special thanks to Bonnie of Nurse Next Door and Unity Hospice for their loving, compassionate care.
