Michael D. Tritsch
August 9, 1947 – November 22, 2023
Mike was born on August 9th, 1947, in Cameron, Missouri, to the late Francys and Paul Tritsch. He attended Fall City Sacred Heart High School in Fall City, Nebraska, where he enjoyed playing baseball as a young boy.
After graduation, Mike worked at the Wilde Tool Factory in Hiawatha, Kansas. Later, he moved to Sabetha, Kansas, and worked as a truck driver with Keim Transport, where he typically hauled grain across the Midwest and occasionally transported materials for Mars Candy. A majority of his career, however, was at Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway, where he worked as a railroad engineer for 28+ years, retiring in 2007. In October 1978, he married Barbara Leslie, of Auburn, Nebraska and together they had 3 children: Tim, Leslie and Aaron and resided in Denton, Nebraska, later relocating to Bennet, Nebraska.
Mike pursued many passions in life. Cars and motorcycles were among the hobbies he enjoyed the most. His family all enjoyed listening to him talk about all the old cars and motorcycles he had over the years (and there were many). But his favorite project was a 1929 Model A Roadster that he built with his son Aaron. While it wasn’t as fast as many of his earlier cars, he found so much joy tinkering under the hood, puttering around town, going to Model A Club events, and driving his grandchildren in the local parade.
When he wasn’t toying with his projects, you could find him playing the guitar, enjoying games with family, smoking delicious meats, snuggling with his dog, Maggie, camping at the lake, and spending time with Karen Wickey, his long-time companion in his later years. His quick wit and effortless sense of humor made it a joy for family and friends to be around him. Mike was a loving father, grandfather, partner, and friend and will be greatly missed.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Francys and Paul Tritsch, his half-brother Leo Tritsch, half-sister Rosemary Tritsch, and his daughter Leslie Ann Tritsch.
He is survived by his loving family: Karen Wickey, Barb Tritsch, Tim Tritsch and his wife Emily, Aaron Tritsch and his wife Desiree, and his five grandchildren Ava, Ella, Caden, Taylor, and Myah.
Visitation: Tuesday, November 28th 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., Bellevue Memorial Chapel, 2202 Hancock Street, Bellevue, NE 68005
Funeral Service: Wednesday November 29th 11:00 a.m., LifeSpring Baptist Church, 13904 S. 36th Street, Bellevue, NE 68123
Private Interment: Glenrock Cemetery
9 Comments
Dad – There aren’t words to describe what I am feeling right now. If you are listening up there, I just want you to know you were a tremendous role model to me and I appreciate everything you gave me over the years. I will truly miss all the stories you shared and hope that when I share my own, that I am able to captivate an audience like you could. Your quick wit and special character always made me laugh out loud involuntarily. Thanks for teaching me how to make an over the top breakfast – my kiddos are huge fans of the lessons learned I in your kitchen. Thank you for being a good grand dad… I always knew you were a big softy at heart an that showed when you were with your grandchildren. And most of all, thank you for all the love you gave me. Just know you were loved and you will be truly missed Pops!!
Although I didn’t know Mr. Tritsch personally I know that he must have been a great guy because his son Tim is one of the most amazing people I know. I wish the family peace and hope that the great memories of him you have heal your hearts.
Mike was always one of my favorite coworkers. A great guy and good human being.
Mike and I stayed friends though out the years . We always had many old memories to share and visit about. We shared many stories and smiled and enjoyed our family and Grandchildren.
Sorry for your loss. Mike Bolejack, my dad told me lots of stories about him and Mike Tritsch racing cars back in the day. He will be missed. I wish your family peace.
Mike and my dad Mitch Ayres were longtime friends through the railroad and I’ve had the pleasure of knowing him through my dad. I remember when I was a teenager and Mike would call my dad , I knew the phone line would be tied up as they would have long conversations about cars and whatever else was going on in their lives. I also have a fond memory of Mike coming out to AZ to visit my dad and he happened to join us for a Fat Tuesday feast I had prepared, he was the only one who ate crawdads with me. When I was around him, Mike always spoke of his family with a smile- especially his grand kids. He was a good friend to my dad and he will be missed.
Mike was one of the best. He and my late husband played tons of pool at the big red n in Salem .his mom use to babysit our kids knew the family well as I was raised in Salem . Such a loss seems that heaven has all the good ones prayers for comfort to u all
I’ll never forget when Lori’s mom was working in the old Cortland hardware store. She told me a guy named Mike who was new in town, was looking for the kid in the red 55 chevy and wanted me to go meet him. I thought wow, that’s the big biker dude with the captain America chopper across the tracks. NO WAY am I going over there! Then Mike waved at me one day driving by and that started a long friendship. We were always fooling around with old cars. Nicest guy who loved to talk cars! He will certainly be missed by many…
Our sincere condolences and prayers for Mike and his family. We knew Mike through the Meadowlark Model A club. What a nice, wonderful man he is. We marveled at his cheerful attitude and strength to not let his physical ailments deter him from doing the things he loved. He loved his family and spoke often of them. Rest in peace Mike. You are loved by many and will be missed. Ken & Anne, Alexandria, MN..
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