Mike Sullivan, the legendary Eau Claire broadcaster, passed away on April 21, 2025, at age 75 after a battle with leukemia, with his wife, Kristine, by his side until his last day.
He took his last breath seventy days after being diagnosed with leukemia, and forty days short of his 76th birthday.
To say the least, Mike’s broadcasting career was one of a kind. Starting at WBIZ in Eau Claire in 1974, he became the sports director and a morning show host, calling over 4,000 games for the UW-Eau Claire Blugolds and local high schools.
Sullivan is survived by his wife of 47 years, Kristine, affectionately known as Kris, and his daughter, Katherine.
The couple’s shared history includes Mike’s early days in radio. She stood by him when he started at WBIZ in Eau Claire in 1974, becoming the sports director and a morning show host.
During this time, his iconic phrase, “It’s hockey night at Hobbs,” became a celebrated part of the community’s sports culture.
In 2015, Mike Sullivan was inducted into the Wisconsin Broadcasting Hall of Fame, and in January 2024, the Hobbs Ice Arena press box was named in his honor. Kris was there through it all, celebrating his successes and facing challenges together.
Mike Sullivan And His Wife, Kristine, Were Married For Almost Five Decades!
Mike Sullivan crossed paths with his future wife, Kristine, while studying at the Brown Institute of Broadcasting in Minneapolis.
Kristine, who grew up in nearby Eau Claire, Wisconsin, has been low-key about her life, unlike Mike, whose life was like an open book.
While the precise details surrounding their relationship timeline remain unknown, their relationship blossomed into something meaningful.
Later, Mike and Kristine tied the knot on August 13, 1977, at Grace Lutheran Church in Eau Claire.
Two years later, they welcomed their daughter Katherine, affectionately known as Katie, in 1979.
After Mike’s diagnosis of cancer, the medical bills caused financial strain. Later, the Eau Claire community stepped up to raise funds for them, nearly collecting $18,000 from GoFundMe to ease their burden.
His daughter, Katie, expressed gratitude for the nearly 200 donors, noting that the funds allowed the family to focus on cherishing Mike’s final days without the added burden of financial stress.
She said:
My family and I cannot thank you all enough for your support through this incredibly difficult time. Your donations made it possible for him to spend his last days close to home, and for my mom and I to spend less time worrying about money and more time supporting him.
Katie
This support, which began before his passing to help cover treatment costs, continued afterward to assist with funeral expenses and remaining bills.
His services are scheduled for Thursday, May 1, 2025, at Saving Grace Lutheran Church, 3735 Jeffers Road in Eau Claire. The visitation starts at 11 AM, and the service begins at 1 PM.
During this ordeal, we offer our condolences to his wife, daughter, and extended family.
Rest Easy, Mike Sullivan!
