Michael John Hasslinger

Michael John Hasslinger, 79 of Waukesha, WI, passed away on June 23, 2026. Michael was born on November 19, 1946, in Hartland, WI, to Margaret and Cletus Hasslinger.

Michael attended the Bark River School, St. Charles School, Hartland Arrowhead, and Catholic Memorial High School. In 1967, he was drafted to serve in Vietnam as a member of the 1st Infantry Division of the United States Army as an E-4 Specialist. After being injured there and spending time recovering in Japan and Texas, he finally returned to Wisconsin, where he met his future wife, Gayle Hasslinger. They were married in 1969 and remained married until her death in 2019.

Michael began his career at the Waukesha Title Company, where he learned the skills that enabled him to run for the office of Waukesha County Register of Deeds in 1970. He won many elections and proudly served the county for 38 years in that capacity. During this time of growth in the county, he worked tirelessly to ensure that the office was up to the task. He was a proud long-term member of the Wisconsin Register of Deeds Association, for which he served as president from 1989-1990. From the time of the board’s creation, he served on the Wisconsin State Land Information Board, serving as secretary in 2004. He also served on the Wisconsin Legislative Council, helping to draft legislation about plating laws and condominium laws, and on the Wisconsin Land Records Committee.

He served the city of Pewaukee for many years, including 14 years as a member of the Common Council, 10 years as a Town Supervisor, and 8 years serving on the Planning Commission. He served on many boards and committees, including the Joint Park and Recreation Board, Board of Review, Public Works Committee, and the Human Resource Committee. In 2014, he was honored to receive the Person of the Year Award from the Pewaukee Chamber of Commerce. His time helping to shape Pewaukee was a great source of pride. The relationships that he gained from those experiences stayed in his heart for his lifetime.

He was a lifelong athlete, often fondly recalling his days playing baseball and football in his youth with brothers and friends. He also enjoyed softball as an adult and experienced that special mix of joy and frustration that comes from being a lover of the game of golf. Although his injury in Vietnam limited his physical athletic ability, he took his gifts and shared them as a coach. He coached his kids in softball, basketball, and soccer. He coached other people’s kids as well. He is remembered as a kind and (mostly) patient coach who always encouraged kids to have fun while they ‘learned the fundamentals.’

He came from an incredible family with a bond forged in love and strength through challenging times. He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Gayle (Butzek) Hasslinger, his brother Mark Hasslinger, his nephews Terence David (T.D) Weber, Hans Hasslinger, and Leonard Crego IV. He is survived by his daughter Andrea(Michael) Chapman Hasslinger, his son Michael David (Kristin) Hasslinger, his sisters Mary Weber, Margie Wittkopp, Monica Hasslinger, Elaine Hasslinger, Therese (Jim) Bublitz, Elizabeth Hasslinger (Mike Mauer), Bernadette Hasslinger, and Bridgette (Leonard III) Crego and his brothers, Cletus Hasslinger (Ann Bernier), and David (Carol) Hasslinger. He is also lovingly remembered by many brothers and sisters-in-law, cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, and friends who have felt like family. He is remembered by his wife’s family as someone who was always there for them. He is remembered by his children as a wonderful father.

Toward the end of his life, he was cared for by the dedicated staff at Mission Creek Assisted Living and, more recently, by Brighton Hospice. His family is grateful for all of their help and care as he navigated these times.

If there is one way to sum up who Mike Hasslinger was, it is what his kids always heard people say about him. Mike was a good guy.

Services will be held on Wednesday, July 1st at Queen of the Apostles Catholic Church (N35W23360 Capitol Dr, Pewaukee, WI). Visitation from 10:30-Noon, Mass at Noon, burial at Pilgrim’s Rest Cemetery (W240 N3065 Pewaukee Road, Pewaukee, WI). A luncheon will follow the burial at Thunder Bay Grille (N14W24130 Tower Pl, Pewaukee, WI) until 4 PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to American Legion Baseball https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/wisconsin-american-legion-baseball or to the Pewaukee Bell Tower Memorial. https://www.belltowermemorial.org/donate.html