Michael Robert Staats age 63 , of 231 Western Ave in Waukesha, WI, passed away Sunday, July 1st, 2018 at Lead Deadwood Regional Hospital .

Michael Robert Staats of Waukesha, age 63, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, July 1, 2018, while on vacation in South Dakota, doing one of the things he loved most in life, riding with his friend Sean on his Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

Michael was a big man with a big heart and loved the simple things; his family, drinks with friends, and tinkering with motorcycles, cars, boats and four wheelers. He still owned the very first bike he bought when he was 17 years old, a 1971 Harley-Davidson Super Glide. Michael was born June 27, 1955, in Milwaukee, to Robert and Eunice (Erdmann) Staats. He was a 1974 graduate of Waukesha South High School and lived most of his life in Waukesha, where he worked with his GE Healthcare family. Michael met his wife Diane through their special friends Mike and Maggie Smith of Montello. The date they met was September 27, 2003, on Mike's birthday and his and Maggie's anniversary. Michael and Diane liked that date so much they also made it their anniversary marrying two years later on September 27, 2005, with Mike and Maggie as their best man and matron of honor.

Michael is survived by his beloved wife of 13 years, Diane (and his boys), his twin sister Kathy Staats, Sue (David) Colburn and family of Chattanoga, Tenn., Laurie Hastings of Minnesota, and brother Daryl (Kim) Hastings and family of Waukesha. He is also survived by his stepchildren James Wagner and family of Wautoma, Jessica Wagner (Beau) of Poynette; special granddaughter Laker Thrasher; mother and father-in-law Betty and Joseph Reinke of Montello, Richard (Maureen) Loster and family of St. Clair Shores, Mich., Marlene (George) Weiss and son of Germania.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Eunice.

As a memorial friends and family are encouraged to share stories, laughs and drinks on Friday, July 13, between 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Eagles Post 453 located at 709 N. Grandview Blvd., Waukesha, WI 53188.

A remembrance for Michael and his up north friends will be set at a later date. A special thank you to Sean, Bill and Sally for their help during this time. From Michael and Diane's favorite song: "I've got gas in the tank, money in the bank, I've got news for you baby you're looking at the man."