Michael John Kerkman, age 64 of De Pere, WI, passed away peacefully in his home while in Hospice Care on May 28, 2009 after a nearly 5 year, courageous battle with Kidney Cancer. Born in Burlington, WI, Mike was raised on the Kerkman family farm with 8 siblings and was known for his spunky, fun-loving and easy-going nature. An avid and skilled outdoorsman, Mike loved to hunt, fish, snowmobile, trap shoot and passionately followed the Nascar Racing Circuit with his many family members and friends. An Ironworker for 45 years, he was known by his iron-working union brothers as "Big Iron Mike". To those who knew and loved him, he was seen as a gentle giant....large in stature but tender and caring of heart. His greatest achievement and pride came from his children and 12 grandchildren who brought him deep pride, immeasurable joy, loads of laughs and unconditional love. Mike is survived by his adoring wife Frances (Herold-Rasmussen), his devoted daughters Deborah (David) Otto and Linda (Chuck) Bendever and the mother of his daughters, Chris (Kowalchyk) Kerkman. Surviving Mike also are his loving stepchildren Steve (Cheri) Rasmussen, Tina (John) Maldonado, Teri (Dennis) Statz, and Eric (Karyn) Rasmussen. Further surviving Mike are his precious grandchildren Danielle & Alex Otto; his step-grandchildren James, Rachel & David Rasmussen, Sarah & Elizabeth Smith (Statz), Sam and Anna Maldonado, Jack Michael and Madeline Rasmussen and literally hundreds of nieces, nephews and first cousins. Also surviving Mike are his loving brothers and sisters Joan (Bob) Ziccarelli, Kenneth (Lorna) Kerkman, Donald (Joan) Kerkman, Judith (Bill) Klein, Roman (Renata) Kerkman, Janice (John) Koons and brother-in-law Gordon Schenning. Mike is now reunited in Heaven with his parents Michael and Mary Kerkman, his sisters and brother-in-law Genevieve and Harold Brustman and Geraldine Schenning, as well his beloved granddaughter, Gracie Rasmussen. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Family, 1307 Lourdes Avenue, De Pere, WI on Saturday, June 6th with visitation beginning at 8:30am, followed by a 10:30am Mass with Fr. Tim Shillcox, O. Praem officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations will be shared amongst local charities and used for memorial masses in Mike's name. RYAN FUNERAL HOME, De Pere, is assisting the family. Please visit www.ryanfh.com to send on line condolences to the Kerkman family. A second memorial service will be held in Mike's hometown of Burlington, WI on July 11, 2009. Visitation with the family will begin at 9:30am followed by an 11:00am Mass at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 108 McHenry Street, Burlington, WI. Mike's family would like to thank everyone for their ongoing love and support especial Aurora's VNA Hospice Care givers Denise Moder and Linda Sharp for their loving.