Michael C.

Bade

Michael "Mike" Cameron Bade, 78, died peacefully at home on Monday, August 28, 2023, after a courageous battle with COPD.

He was born in Watertown, Wisconsin on December 4, 1944, the first of four children of the late James and Mabel (Erikson) Bade.

He graduated from Lake Mills High School in 1963 and later from Black Hills Teachers College, majoring in music.

On July 8, 1980, he married Mary Haberman, his high school sweetheart. A year later, their lives were enriched by the birth of their son, David.

Growing up, Mike spent summers on his uncles' ranches in South Dakota and always had stories to tell about that time. After college, he taught school and directed the bands in Belle Fouche, South Dakota.

He returned to Lake Mills in 1971, where he followed in his father's footsteps as a journeyman electrician. He worked for several electrical contractors in Jefferson and Dane counties and eventually opened his own business, Brothers Electric LLC. He later became a licensed electrical inspector, working in numerous municipalities throughout Wisconsin.

Mike was a very talented musician and could play most instruments, with his primary instruments being bass horn, bass guitar, and bass violin. After playing on the road and as a studio musician in his younger years, he played in the Lake Mills City Band for 60 years, including directing the band for several years, in the Johnson Creek Municipal Band, and with other instrumental groups in the area. Some of his favorite times were when he returned to South Dakota several times for reunions with his college and post-college musician buddies, where they played music together as if 40 years had not passed since they last played together.

Mike was a member of the Lake Mills Moravian Church, sang in the choir, played in and directed the church's brass band, and occasionally accompanied the choir on bass guitar.

Mike is survived by his wife, Mary; his son, David; siblings, John (Janet) Bade, Connie Bade, Erik (Liz) Bade; his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Barb (Haberman) and Rich Abell; nieces; nephews; other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Milton and Doris (Jecklin) Haberman; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Gary and Cathy (Haberman) Karraker, and nephew, James Smith.

Memorial services will be held at 12 noon on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, at the Lake Mills Moravian Church.

Friends may call after 10 a.m. on Tuesday at the church until the time of service.

Burial will be in Rock Lake Cemetery.

If desired, memorials may be made to Rainbow Hospice, Lake Mills Moravian Church, or the Lake Mills City Band.

Family wishes to thank the staff of Rainbow Hospice, especially nurse Alicia, for their compassionate care of Mike.

www.claussenfuneralhome.com