Born March 14, 1959 in Milwaukee, WI and entered the gates of Heaven on November 14, 2022 at the age of 63, after 8 years of courageously and valiantly fighting an extremely rare autoimmune illness, Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome (LEMS). He died of complications from Covid 19, contracted while in skilled rehab. His parents, the late George Szymik and Patricia (Morford) Szymik, moved to Stevens Point in 1964. He attended Stevens Point Area Senior High (SPASH), graduating in 1977. Appropriately born on “Pi Day”, Mike loved all things mathematical. He attended UW-Stevens Point, graduating in 1982 with a degree in Mathematics. It was there that he met his future wife, Corrine (Huth); they married June 20, 1987. In 2004, he earned his Master’s degree in Business Administration from UW-Whitewater, and throughout his IT career earned numerous certifications which enabled him to stay current in his field. Mike began his IT career in Milwaukee, working briefly for MEGACO, then Johnson Controls. The majority of his IT career was with Harley-Davidson Motor Company, and later Infosys, to which H-D was outsourced. He was responsible for network and IT operations at dealer shows ,traveling throughout the country, including Sturgis Rallies in South Dakota, and even traveling to London. Mike is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Corrine, who as his caregiver and advocate navigated numerous medical appointments, Mike’s continued employment from home, and eventually many issues occurring in his skilled rehab facility. During this time (in the last couple of years), Corrine had three major surgeries, and rehabilitation, but remained steadfast in her commitment to caring for Mike, even from her hospital bed in the ICU. Mike and Corrine are extremely grateful for the love and support of Corrine’s sister Christine Pickett, who cared for both of them, drove them to appointments, including trips to Mayo Clinic, and lent a hand in other ways too numerous to mention. Mike was a quiet man of faith, dedicated to serving the Lord. He was active in his congregation, serving many years as church treasurer, and on various committees, including the Maintenance Committee and Pastoral Search Committee. He chaperoned youth trips to Fort Wilderness in northern Wisconsin. Mike was everyone’s go-to guy for all things computer related. When his father in Stevens Point developed dementia and Parkinson’s, Mike selected a nursing home and made numerous trips back & forth to see he was adequately cared for, all while still working full time. Mike enjoyed playing baseball, volleyball, and basketball from his youth into his forties. He loved watching the Brewers, Badgers, Packers, and Bucks. But his favorite thing was being surrounded by nature. Before his body (but never his mind) was ravaged by his illness, Mike and Corrine enjoyed camping, fishing, hiking and biking. They visited many National Parks and scenic areas throughout the country, and enjoyed a family Caribbean cruise with Corrine’s family. Mike is further survived by his brother Gary (Nancy), brothers-and sisters-in law, nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews. Special thanks to Kerry Short, APNP, Trauma & Critical Care Unit, Stacey Martinetti, RN and the Neurosciences Department at Froedtert Hospital, Mayo Clinic Neurology Department, and the outstanding staff at Aurora Zilber Family Hospice. In lieu of flowers, memorials to St. John UCC or Washington County Humane Society are appreciated. Visitation for Mike will be held Tues. Nov. 29 at the Schmidt & Bartelt Funeral Home in Menomonee Falls from 4:30-6:30 PM and again on Wed. Nov. 30 at St. John UCC Church, N104 W14181 Donges Bay Rd., Germantown from 12 Noon until the time of the Funeral Service at 1 PM. Burial will follow at the church cemetery.
Posted online on November 27, 2022
Published in Journal Sentinel