Ryan “Muffin” Michalski

Ryan “Muffin” Donald Michalski

October 3, 1980 — May 31, 2026

Ryan passed away peacefully at home on May 31, 2026, after a long battle with cancer. He was surrounded by the people who loved him most—though, if he had his way, there would have been less crying and more laughter.

His greatest pride was his family, whom he loved deeply and wholeheartedly. Ryan leaves behind his beloved wife, Tiffany Michalski, and their puppy, Maya (Doodle); his parents, Debbie and David Michalski; his siblings, Anne (Jeff Kierzek), Katie (Joe Reisinger), and Lizzy Michalski; and his nephews, Quinn and Eddy, all of whom meant the world to him. He will also be remembered by his In-Laws; Mark Albrecht, William Wheat, Jessica (Michael) Wendling, Sheri (Matthew) Byrge; niece, Savannah; and nephews, Cole, Max and Reed; along with other extended family members and many dear friends who became family. Ryan was preceded in death by his grandparents, Bea and Don Reichelt and Pat and Ed Michalski, as well as his mother-in-law, Deborah Wheat, all of whom he carried with him in love and memory.

Ryan was a dedicated member of Jefferson Masonic Lodge No. 9, F. & A.M., where he served as Junior Warden and Trustee alongside his brothers and best friend.

To say that cancer defined Ryan’s final years would be to misunderstand him entirely. While cancer occupied a chapter of his life, it never became his story. Ryan remained true to himself: quick-witted, fiercely loved, endlessly entertaining, and generous in every sense.

Ryan loved deeply and was deeply loved in return. He was a devoted husband, cherished son, beloved brother, and loyal friend. Family gatherings, traditions, and the simple act of being together meant everything to him. He took immense pride in helping run the family-owned business, a role that connected him to both his loved ones and a legacy he cared deeply about carrying forward.
Ryan’s life was a testament to the way he chose to live. He loved Christmas and the way it made the world slow down, cherishing the joy of giving gifts, gathering with family, and creating elaborate Christmas light displays, not just outside but on his beard too. He was a dreamer and a doer. Always curious, he filled his days with experiences and adventures — from touring the world with Neil Diamond to spending weekends cooking and camping with friends. His joy for life and deep love for others shaped the way he lived.

He possessed a rare gift for making difficult moments lighter. Whether through a perfectly timed joke, a mischievous grin, or a comment that probably should not have been said out loud, Ryan had a way of bringing people together through laughter. He understood something many spend a lifetime trying to learn: humor is not the absence of hardship, but one of the ways we survive it.
Throughout his illness, Ryan faced each challenge with remarkable courage, stubborn determination, and a refusal to surrender his sense of self. Even in the face of incredible adversity, his priority remained caring for the people he loved.

In the end, what remains is the story he wrote in the hearts of everyone around him—a story of laughter, kindness, loyalty, and love.

His story does not end here; it lives on in every life he has touched.

Visitation and service will be held at Brookfield Masonic Center, 4550 Pilgrim Road, Brookfield, Wisconsin 53005, on Thursday, July 16, 2026 from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM. A few words and a Masonic Funeral Service by Jefferson County Lodge No. 9, F. & A.M., will begin at 6:30 PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Wisconsin Masonic Foundation.