Mike was born on January 20, 1941 in Milwaukee, WI to Michael and Grace (nee Linde) Trapp. He graduated from Beaver Dam High School in 1960 and proudly served his country in the 84th Division Rail Splitters of the United States Army Reserves. He was the first employee of Johnnie's Texaco and worked in the Experimental Department at John Deere Horicon Works for 35 years before retiring in February of 2001.

Mike was a big racing fan. He liked attending and watching NASCAR races, co-owning his own stock cars, drag racing in the Weekend Freedom Machine, and going to races at Road America in Elkhart Lake. He also loved Corvettes, playing volleyball, golfing, riding through the trails on his Gator, and snowmobiling in the north woods. Mike enjoyed fishing in Arbor Vitae, was a board member of the Beaver Dam Lake Association and helped introduce the sport of fishing to the next generation by collecting funds for the annual Fish N Fun Day in Beaver Dam. His favorite time of the year was fall, which was when he looked forward to water fowl and deer hunting, bird watching, as well as his favorite team, the Green Bay Packers. He was a member of International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (Local #873), Spitfire Retirees Club, Beaver Dam Rod and Custom Club and the Clutchmen Car Club, and the Sno-Kats Snowmobile Club of Fox Lake, Mike frequented nearly every area restaurant and always looked forward to Beaver Dam Lake Days. He was also frequently seen washing windshields on his vehicle, along with family and friends' vehicles. His true love was being involved with his nieces and nephews and their children and the family dogs. He will be deeply missed.

Mike is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Richard "Dick" and Diana Trapp of Beaver Dam; his sister, Jean Trapp Hancock of Hales Corners, WI; nieces and nephews, Debbie (Michael) Sweeney of Rockford, IL, Rich (Jacki) Trapp of Cherry Valley, IL and Deann (Patrick) Petitgout of E. Dubuque, IL; Matthew Hancock of Charlottesville, VA, Thomas Hancock of Hales Corners, great-nephew, Michael Sweeney; great-nieces, Myranda Trapp, Emma and Chloe Petitgout. He is further survived by his step-mother, Katrina Trapp and her children, Thomas, Terri, Mary Kay and John, all of Colorado; many cousins, special neighbors and friends, including Barb and Rachel Perschke, as well as his buddy, Snickers.

Mike was preceded in death by his beloved Mom, Esther Fina, his birth parents, Grace and Michael Trapp, an infant sister, Marjorie Ann along with several aunts and uncles.

A Funeral Service for Michael will be held on Tuesday, July 5, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at Cornerstone Funeral & Cremation Services, 135 Keller Blvd. in Beaver Dam. Visitation will take place prior to the service at the funeral home, beginning at 11:00 a.m. A luncheon will he held immediately following the service at the funeral home.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Shaurt and staff, St. Mary's Hospital, Mayo Clinic, Golden Living Center – Continental Manor, and Asera Care Hospice for the wonderful care that Mike was given; and the thoughts and prayers from friends and family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials will go to organizations Mike loved.

Cornerstone Funeral & Cremation Services in Beaver Dam is honored to be serving the family.

Click HERE to view Mike's Life Tribute Video.