Michael C. "Mike" Leider's lifetime of service – to his family, his community and his country – ended Oct. 22, 2023, with his death at his home in Union Grove, Wisconsin. He was 88.

Mike's impact on those he served, and his ever-present smile, will not be forgotten. Mike was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend to all he met. He also was a proud American who flew his flag religiously and considered it an honor to serve in the Marine Corps – even displaying a bumper sticker later in life: "Not as lean. Not as mean. Still a Marine."

He was an avid sportsman, a loyal fan of the Packers and Brewers, a world traveler, a dependable volunteer in the community, a furniture craftsman and a mean cribbage player.

Mike – the youngest of nine children - was born Feb. 18, 1935, in Arlington Heights, Illinois, to Joseph and Lucy (nee Jung) Leider. The family moved to Union Grove when he was about a year old to operate Union Grove Greenhouse.

Mike graduated from Union Grove High School in 1953. During high school, he lettered in basketball, football, track and baseball. His batting average remained a UGHS baseball team record for many years, and he was inducted in the Bronco Hall of Fame in 2009.

After graduation, Mike enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, serving in Japan and Korea with the rank of Sergeant. It was while in the Marine Corps that he was introduced to Lois Stickney. They married in Laguna Beach, California.

After an honorable discharge, he and Lois returned to Union Grove, where Mike ran the family greenhouse business with his sister, Hildegarde. Other family members also worked alongside him, and he employed many local kids during the summer tomato harvest season. If a teen could make it through just one long, hot summer of greenhouse work, it was a ticket to a job in cooler environs the following year.

In addition to owning the greenhouses, Mike's entrepreneurial spirit led him to open MCL Fiberglass, which he operated until 1992.

Mike had a deep love for his hometown, and he was committed to serving his community. He joined the Union Grove/Yorkville Volunteer Fire Department in 1964 and the Rescue Squad in 1969. He was a fire department captain when he retired from both units in 1983.

Mike also was a Union Grove village trustee from 1967-83 and 1998-99. In 1999, he became village president and served until 2003. During this time, he introduced Coleman Industries to Union Grove and was instrumental in the creation of the development that now includes the Piggly Wiggly and nearby housing.

In 1980, Mike was elected to the Union Grove High School Board, where he served as president. Mike also endeared himself to students as a fill-in bus driver.

In addition to his work in the community, Mike loved hunting, fishing, shooting trap, golfing, playing cribbage, snowmobiling (he and a friend rode the trails to Copper Harbor, Mich.), a good Wisconsin fish fry and traveling with Lois.

His adventurous spirit took him on a hunting trip to Alaska; upon return, a local newspaper declared in a headline: "Alaska is one bear Leider." He also generously took his family on rafting trips down the Grand Canyon, one of many vacations.

Mike and Lois enjoyed retirement together, spending several months a year in Arizona, where they golfed and created wonderful friendships.

Mike was known for his great sense of humor, generosity and kindness to all. He always had a smile on his face and was an eternal optimist. In his retirement, Mike could regularly be found in downtown Union Grove having coffee and breakfast with friends. He also liked to work as a volunteer in the beer tent at the Racine County Fair.

Mike is survived by his wife of 67 years, Lois; daughter Kathy Himebauch (Dale); daughter Cary Vogrin (Bill); grandchildren Ryan Himebauch (Allison); Kellyn Shine (Nick); Benjamin Vogrin and Peter Vogrin. He also adored his great-grandchildren, his many nieces and nephews and his brother-in-law, Buzz.

The family invites everyone to join in saluting Mike's lifetime of service at Miller-Reesman Funeral Home on November 9, 2023, from 10 a.m. – 12 noon. The memorial service will begin at noon. Inurnment with full military honors at the Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery will follow at 1 p.m.

The family also wishes to offer heartfelt thanks to Mike's physicians and Burlington Memorial Hospital, particularly the providers in the Emergency Department and the Intensive Care Unit, along with Aurora Health at Home hospice. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Kansasville V.F.W. Post 7924 or American Legion Post 171 in Union Grove.