Brian "Mort" Sukow

Brian “Mort” Sukow

He was born on Flag Day and died the day of fall equinox. He was nicknamed Mort in his teen years by his dad after a bucktoothed puppet, that name stayed with him his whole life. A legend. Many know Mort as the life of the party. He loved to smile, laugh, sing, dance and drink. He coached analyzed and called many Brewer and Packer games from a lazy boy. He reportedly mostly won when he gambled, was a great shot a pool and enjoyed wearing coordinated outfits on the golf course with his buddy Doc. He relished time hunting his whole life. In the early years game was chased in Sayner and Gleason, later years it was an annual pilgrimage out west with Sanford and the crew. The most sacred and beloved way to spend his time was at the family cabin—aka the Packers Shack. This structure was built by his dad and brothers and was a place the entire family in the early years gathered with cousins and other extended family members as other cabins were constructed around Doering Pond. This space holds stories for hunters, snowmobiling, campfires, and sometimes even wildlife. He held deep reverence for the Doering land as a historian.

Mort was a skilled salesperson and used those skills to negotiate outcomes in his favor as witnessed during one of his recent hospital stays to get out to the golf course or to the cabin. He was a great joke teller and master B.S. er

Brian’s circle of friends and family know many stories, some true, some sort of true. We know his wit and his heart. He deeply loved time with his cousins of all generations, too many to all name individually. If you were referred to by a nickname—you were loved and if you were teased and heckled, you were held deeply in his heart as family.

Family life. This is the part we list them. Mort married his first wife Debbie during hunting season which ensured he was out of town for anniversaries (poor planning). He then married Linda on his 50th birthday (so he could remember that anniversary).

On this side of life, he leaves his only child Amy and favorite son-in-law ( by default) Russ. His stepchildren Amanda and Werner and their spouses and children. His beloved brother Sid and sisters-in-law Eva and Cecil as well as nieces Lori, Carrie and Cammie along with their spouses respectively Tom, Dan and Dave.

For all the family he has on this side who will miss his deeply- he is joining a great deal of family and friends on the other side-his wife Linda, his brother Russ, sister Michelle, Mom and Dad (Les and Elaine)- several first cousins- Mary, Cheri, Mark and Sandy- and MANY dear friends

Last thoughts—some of his stories and one liners and favorite things-

Best karaoke song is Johnny Horton- North to Alaska, Verzunka from Wyoming, “You are not the boss of me”, “Giddy up!”, there is a vortex pull of gravity at Tom and Sue’s, he saved his niece Carries life, riled up Bearcat by fake puking upstairs, ‘elder chaperone’ at Maddie’s parties, his bet with Nick, morning campfire, evening campfire, venison sausage, chocolate chip cookies, Oreos, Windsor, salt.

The family will be celebrating Mort’s memory privately (but not likely quietly). Fireball may be involved.

As for expressions and stories from so very many others he has known in so many ways- you are welcome to send your favorite story about Mort to add to the collection so that we may share in his memory. Please send to amykitsembel97@gmail.com so we may laugh, mourn, and celebrate with his spirit watching on as we regale the tales of his life by a fire.

Taylor-Stine-Waid Funeral & Cremation, Merrill, is assisting the family. Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinewaid.com