April 28, 2022 at 3:41 p.m.
Michael "Burl" Ives
Michael "Burl" Ives
He was born on Oct. 29, 1959, to Thomas and Nancy (Robinson) Ives and grew up on McLaughlin Dr. playing baseball at the big rock with his neighborhood friends. He attended Zion Lutheran and RHS. After graduating in 1978, he and six buddies moved to a 2-bedroom house in Jackson Hole, Wy. The following year he and his high school sweetheart, Tammy, drove his Chevy pickup to Alaska on a dirt highway. They returned to Rhinelander to plant roots, and he worked at Rhinelander Paper Company until his early retirement in November of 1989.
Dad played softball for Brokers and Clem's Place, coached Little League and travel baseball. His 1994 Braves were league champions. He ran the scoreboard and books at Stafford Field for 16 years, retiring when his grandchildren entered T-Ball. Grandpa Burl rarely missed a game or tournament. He was a fan of Mustache Mayhem softball, Dazzle's Demons snowshoe baseball, and vintage snowmobile racing.
Dad was an outdoorsman, living off the land by hunting, fishing, gardening, and making maple syrup. He loved wildflowers, playing cards on the Rainbow and planting pumpkin patches for his grandchildren. Dad made it a priority to teach hunters safety and his proudest moments in life were witnessing his children and grandchildren shoot their first deer.
Mike is survived by his parents, Thomas and Nancy Ives; children, Benjamin Ives and Beth Ives; grandchildren Haley, Owen, Vayda, Dawson, and Laila; siblings, Robin Hendrickson, Mitch Ives, and Mary (Shawn) Marquardt; nieces, Sarah, Christina and Semra; nephew, Mitchell; friend and ex-wife Tammy (Hagen) Ives; in-laws Patricia Roddy, Thomas Hagen, and countless other family and friends.
Mike was greeted by his grandparents, Frank and Ida Robinson, James and Marcella Ives, father-in-law, Dean Roddy, many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
We would like to thank Dr. Chris Koeppl and Dr. Grace Zuiker Nash for years of care and compassion, the 1989 first responders and medical team for giving us an extra 32 years with Dad.
Burl's final act of courage was whole body donation to the Mayo Clinic for the advancement of science and research.
Inurnment will take place at a later date.
The Celebration of Burl's Life will take place at the Hildebrand Funeral Home on Saturday, April 30, from 4 to 7 p.m.
In lieu of flowers we ask for people to plant wildflowers, donate blood, or play a round of catch in his honor. Funds may be directed to the family to repair and add his name to the Jim Robinson memorial flagpole at Stafford Field.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Hildebrand Funeral Home & Cremation Specialists, 24 E. Davenport Street, Rhinelander, Wisconsin, 54501, 715-365-4343. Everyone is invited to sign the guestbook or leave an online condolence at www.hildebrandrussfh.com.
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