Michael Foley
Michael “Mike” J. Foley, 72, of Harpers Ferry died Thursday, October 30, 2025, at the homestead farm in rural Harpers Ferry. Memorial services will be held Wednesday, November 12 at St. Ann’s - St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Harpers Ferry with Fr. Joseph Sevcik officiating.
Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. with the funeral mass to follow at 11 a.m. Mike and Cindy will be laid to rest at St. Joseph’s Paint Rock Cemetery, Harpers Ferry. Lunch will be provided after the services. Martin - Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements.
Michael James Foley was born December 15, 1952, in Waukon, the son of Leo and Rose (Cota) Foley. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Joseph’s Paint Rock Catholic Church in Harpers Ferry. Mike graduated from St. George Catholic School in Lansing in 1970, and also attended Western Wisconsin Technical College as well as Loras College in Dubuque.
August 24, 1974, he married the love of his life, Cynthia “Cindy” Althof, at St. Charles Catholic Church in Genoa, WI. Mike worked as a service technician for Sears in La Crosse, WI for 34 years before retiring in 2009. He and Cindy lived in La Crosse for three years before moving to Brice Prairie, WI, where they lived from 1976-2005. He and Cindy then moved to the Foley homestead in rural Harpers Ferry.
He was a member of St. Ann’s - St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Harpers Ferry. Mike loved spending time on the farm, tinkering in the garage, and raising Golden Retrievers. He enjoyed hunting, pontooning on the Mississippi River, fixing things for family and friends, and was an avid Green Bay Packers fan. Mike lived his life as the go-to guy for anything that needed repair.
Later in his life when his hands would not cooperate, Mike focused his efforts helping lift people’s spirits even on their toughest days. Mike will forever be missed, and those that knew him will cherish their shared memories.
Survivors include his children: Shayna (Mike) Martinson of Sparta, WI, Ryan (Sina) Foley of Phoenix, AZ, and Adam (Morgan) Foley of La Crosse, WI; nine grandchildren: Brianna, Tristian, Isabelle, Ian, Jack, Madison, Wyatt, Sage, and Weston; his siblings: William (Connie) Foley of East Lansing, MI, Rose Ann (Reuben) Lopez of Apple Valley, MN, and Jean Christensen of Waukon; and his mother-in-law, Marcella Althof of La Crosse, WI.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Rose; his wife Cindy in 2023; a brother, Donald Foley; and his father-in-law, Donald Althof.
Honorary urn bearers are Madison, Isabelle, Jack, Sage and Weston. Urn bearers are Ian Foley and Wyatt Foley.
Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.
