Wilfred Joe "Swede" Michaelis

View Memorial Slideshow View Service Video Wilfred Joe “Swede” Michaelis, 87, of McFarland, Kansas, died Monday, December 28, 2020, at Good Samaritan Center of Wamego. He was a life-long member of the community. Swede was born on April 16, 1933, in McFarland, Kansas, a son of Joseph B. and Mary Eunice Hastings Michaelis. He attended elementary schools in McFarland and graduated from Alma High School in 1951. Swede served in the United States Army during the Korean War. He was stationed in South Africa. Swede worked for forty-one years as a railroad car man. Twentynine years for the Rock Island Railroad and twelve years for the Cotton Belt Railroad. He was on the McFarland City Council and served as mayor. Swede also was a member of the Wabaunsee County Planning Commission, County Solid Waste Committee, and a member of the McFarland Volunteer Fire Department. Swede also served two years as the Police Judge. Swede married Myrna Rae TenEyck in Wamego, Kansas, on June 28, 1958. She survives at their home. Swede is also survived by his children: Johnny Michaelis (Matilda), Maple Hill, Alan Michaelis (RaeLynn), Belvue, Denise McDaniel (Terry), Paxico, Brian Michaelis, Alma, and David Michaelis (Yvette), Wichita; twenty-three grandchildren and nineteen great-grandchildren; his siblings, Frank Michaelis, Ardmore, Oklahoma, Edward Michaelis (JoAnn) Pleasant Valley, Missouri, Virginia Glotzbach (Bill) Paxico, Carol Gasperich (Louis), McFarland. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Margaret Farrell, Lilia McCubbin, Mary Ellen Fulmer, Olive Glotzbach, Juanita Coon, Richard Michaelis, and infant brothers, LeRoy Kenneth Michaelis and Joseph Henry Michaelis. Private family funeral services will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in McFarland. Burial with military honors will be in Trinity Lutheran Cemetery. The family suggests memorial contributions to Trinity Lutheran Cemetery Fund or Good Samaritan Society - Wamego (Valley Vista), and those may be sent in care of Campanella-Gentry Funeral Home in Alma. Online condolences may be made at www.campanellafuneral.com Private Funeral Services Trinity Lutheran Chruch McFarland, Kansas You may view Swede's service, live-stream at 11:00 am, Saturday via Trinity Lutheran Church website. Interment Trinity Lutheran Cemetery McFarland, Kansas