Michael T. Vandelist, 56, De Pere, passed away on June 4, 2018, with his family by his side. Mike lived with esophageal cancer for a year and a half, smiling, laughing and telling stories until his last breath. He fought his hardest to stay here with his boys, his wife and family. Mike was born on July 6, 1961 to Thomas and Suzanne (Lamal) Vandelist. A 1980 graduate of Abbot Pennings High School, where he played football and hockey and Western Wisconsin Technical College in LaCrosse. On February 20, 1993, he married Bridget Burns at St. Patrick's Church in Askeaton. Celebrating 25 years of marriage, they were blessed with two wonderful boys. As a lifelong resident of De Pere, Mike loved the people and its history. He enjoyed long walks around town. Every house and street had a story and Mike knew it. He was especially proud of his family's history in De Pere, growing up delivering milk house to house. Mike was an entrepreneur his entire life, owner of TMJ Dairy, Cart Service Inc, and MTVandelist Trucking, driving for Galloway Company for the last 27 years, until his diagnosis forced him into early retirement. Safely driving 3.5 million miles accident free. Mike worked hard and played hard. He was a successful snowmobile drag racer, with over 75 victories and also owner/fabricator of a track champion street stock. He enjoyed watching his son begin to race, trying his hardest to bring back a few "old school" techniques. Mike enjoyed everything mechanical. If he wasn't fixing things, he was designing and building. Mike grew up playing hockey for De Pere and enjoyed coaching his boys. Mike was never known to do anything on a small scale, so when he decided to put a rink in the backyard, it quickly turned into an epic rink where the entire team could skate day or night. He was extremely proud of the success both his boys had and continue to have playing the game he loved. Mike also enjoyed skiing, boating, camping, four-wheeling, photography, landscaping and spending time with his family. A summer wasn't complete without a walk through Iola Car Show and hitting as many county fairs as possible. Mike is survived by his wife, Bridget; their sons, Joe and Tommy; his parents, his brother, Jack Vandelist; sister, Cathy (Randy) Marquis, their children, Matt and Paige; uncles, James (Merle) Lamal, Dick (Betty) Lamal, Mark (Lisa) Vandelist; aunt, Barbara (Bob) Grinnell. Mike is further survived by his brothers and sisters-in-law, Colleen Hayes, Peg (Dan) Pichler, Jim (Jenny) Burns, Mary (Dennis) Nooyen, Tim Burns, Maureen (Orv) Gossen, Sean (Adrianne) Burns; his nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Norbert (Evelyn) Vandelist, James (Catherine) Lamal; his father and mother-in-law, James (Catherine) Burns; his brother-in-law, Ron Hayes and his niece, Megan Hayes. Family and friend may call Thursday, June 7, 2018 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at Ryan Funeral Home, 305 N Tenth St., De Pere. A prayer service/ time of sharing will be held at 7:30 with Rev. Diane Rew officiating. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, June 8, 2018 at St. Clare Parish, St. Patrick's Site, with Fr. Brian Wideman, Fr. Richard Getchel, and Deacon Ken Kabat officiating. Thank you to Dr. Nawaz and Unity Hospice, for the wonderful care given to Mike. Mostly for listening to all of his stories! Thank you to our family, friends, neighbors and extended family at Ryan Funeral Home for their love and support. A special thank you to our hockey family, we are eternally grateful for the love and kindness shown to our family, we are blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful people. Mike always had a smile on his face and something to say! He had a sharp memory and always willing to lend a helping hand. We will miss him every day.