Remembering Mick Neshek
(LAKE GENEVA, WI) Milton “Mick” Neshek passed away peacefully on January 5, 2025, at his winter home in Naples, FL. Son of an immigrant father, August and Laura (Charnesky) Neshek, he was born in Coleman, WI on October 26, 1930. The youngest of seven siblings, he grew up on the family farm and attended school in Coleman, graduating from Coleman High School in 1948. He attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison graduating in 1952 and then attended law school in Madison, graduating in 1955. He married Darlene Davie in 1955 in Madison WI. He and Darlene had two children, Thomas born in Junction City, KS in 1956 and Nancy born in Elkhorn, WI in 1959. Darlene predeceased him in 1989. In 1997 he married Nancy McCoy in Fontana, WI. He and Nancy resided in Lake Geneva since their marriage but spent part time residence in Folsom, CA between 1999 and 2018. They recently wintered in Naples, FL until the time of his death. He enjoyed athletics and participated actively until late in life. He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hunting and fishing.
Mick had an active and successful business and professional career. He served as an attorney in the General Advocate Corp of the US Army based in Junction City, KS until 1957 when he moved to Elkhorn, WI where he joined the Godfrey Law Firm. He practiced law until 1997. In 1973, he began a long, close relationship with Kikkoman Foods, Inc which lasted until his death, serving as an officer, director and General Counsel. He served on the State University Board of Regents from 1965 to 1971 and the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents from 1971-1978. He served as a Director of Alliant Energy Corporation from 1984 to 2001 and Director of Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce from 1983 to 1995. In 2018 he was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun by the Emperor of Japan, one of the highest civilian awards to be issued, for his service promoting Japanese- American business relations.
Mick is survived by his wife, Nancy (McCoy) Neshek of Lake Geneva, WI, two children, Thomas (Donna) Neshek and Nancy (David) Farley, both of Elkhorn, WI, five grandchildren, Hannah (Abram) Rafle, Samuel (Barbara) Neshek, Katherine Neshek, Daniel (Kelly) Farley, Margaret Farley, and four great grandchildren Harrison Rafle, Zoey Neshek, Theodore Farley and Eleanor Farley. He is predeceased by his first wife Darlene, his parents August and Laura Neshek, and his six siblings, Violet Barrette, James Neshek, Jerome Neshek, Irene Pelot, Jeanette Utt, and Victor Neshek.
A Celebration of Life is planned to be held in Lake Geneva, WI this summer.