Michel "Ki" Moller

The family of Michel “Ki” Moller is saddened to announce his unexpected death on August 3, 2026, at age 68 (which he claimed is “older than dirt”).

He was born in March 1958 in Dodgeville, WI, to Charles and Gwendolyn (Munson) Moller, joining older brothers David and Dennis. He grew up in Montfort, WI, enjoying the charm and experiences of small-town life. He attended and graduated from Iowa Grant public schools.

Because his mom, Gwen, did not like the “a” in the usual spelling of Michael, she omitted it from his name. Although unique, it proved to be a source of frustration for Michel due to the frequent mispronunciations and misspellings. His dad Charles had the nickname of “Ki-Ki” thrust upon him from his younger sister’s attempts to pronounce “Charlie” (this was in the late 1920s when Ki-Ki Chyler was playing for the Chicago Cubs, so the nickname was familiar). As Michel entered his teen years, he decided to honor his dad by adopting the shorter version of the family nickname. Family members continued to call him by his given name, but anyone he met going forward knew him as Ki.

Following his 1976 high school graduation, Ki moved to Madison and worked full time at various jobs, while attending classes at MATC and UW-Madison. This proved to be too much, so he concentrated on work. In 1986 he moved to Vermont to manage a bowling alley. This didn’t pan out as expected, so he returned to Madison.

Upon his return, he stopped at his old hangout, The Red Shed. Among his regular friends, he noticed an addition — a tall, strawberry blonde gal playing darts. His friends informed him that she was Lynn Slinger, a new entry in the dart-playing circuit. Taking a chance, he approached her with the quote, “Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.” Well, that was a prophetic move on his part, as Lynn’s favorite movie was “The Wizard of Oz.” Introductions were made, similar interests and tastes discovered, and in 1989 they tied the knot. They continued dart-playing adventures together over the next few years, traveling around the state and country for tournaments. Las Vegas was a regular destination. Ki even obtained a position running dart and pool leagues in the Madison area, designing his own scorecards and game formats.

Their family grew with the addition of sons Evan in 1992 and Asher in 1994. Ki’s gentle and kind demeanor was evident in his love and care for them. Exposure to his quirky and unique sense of humor and quick wit ingrained them with stories, inside jokes, catch-phrases (thus the “older than dirt” reference above) and memories to last a lifetime.

Ki obtained his first personal computer in 1994 and was fascinated. He navigated around that easily and caught on quickly to all the inner workings of it, so much so that he was able to obtain employment as an IT specialist at several Madison businesses. His longest-term position in this role was at the Famous Footwear corporate office. When explaining his job to the kids, he stated that he was in charge of keeping the alligators out of the fountain in front of the building. “Dad, there are no alligators in there.” “Well then, I’m doing my job.” Unfortunately, the corporate office moved to St. Louis in 2008, and Ki declined moving there. Hopefully they found someone else for alligator patrol in St. Louis.

As a next step, Ki started his own PC repair/consult business. Most requests came from his father-in-law Phil and older relatives. After providing his generous senior discount, he joked that he ended up paying them! Unfortunately, this business did not sustain, and he moved on to other ventures, mostly in the transportation field. With his exceptional sense of direction, he easily navigated his

routes sans GPS assistance. Until his recent illness, he provided health care or job transport to disabled folks. His regular riders loved and relied on him.

Ki was an avid and loyal Packers and Badgers sports fan, faithfully watching every game and attending those he could. He joked that he married Lynn for access to her family’s Packer season tickets! He inherited his dad’s Chicago Cubs fandom, as there were no Wisconsin baseball teams when Ki was young. This made for a jovial mixed-marriage during baseball season, with Brewers and Cubs flags competing on the front porch.

Ki had an excellent singing voice and participated in choirs while growing up. He loved karaoke and surprised people with his choices. He was a huge ’70s music fan, and he and Lynn enjoyed quiet summer evenings around their backyard fire pit listening to their favorite “oldies.” Ki had a special penchant for, as he called them, “his ’70s girls” – Joni, Judy, Karen and Linda. He was thrilled to have up-close seats to Judy Blue Eyes’ winter solstice concert in Madison in 2024.

For many years Ki had wanted to start a beekeeping hobby. After research, planning and securing the proper equipment and license, he began his apiculture adventure in 2019. He thoroughly enjoyed it; admittedly being surprised by the physicality and time commitment required. He had successful honey harvests. Lynn good-naturedly complained about the perpetual stickiness of the kitchen for days afterward. She also had to let him know on many an occasion that “one of your bee friends has entered the house!” Ki realized this year that he couldn’t keep up with the hobby and generously donated his supplies to other area beekeepers.

Through his vantage point in his man cave, Ki enjoyed the bird activity at the front-yard feeder. Anyone in listening range was subject to his announcements: “Tufted titmouse sighting,” “The downy woodpecker is back,” or, most common – “How did that dang squirrel get up there again?”

Ki is survived by his beloved wife Lynn and sons Evan and Asher; brother David (Alice), in-laws PJ (Jana), Andy (Terry) and Nikki (Justin); nieces and nephews, many cousins, extended family, friends and his felines Belle and Chip.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Dennis; fabulous felines Spooky, Dusty, Kricket, Purrsilla and Nickel; a myriad of gerbils; and Bo, the squawkiest sun conure ever.

A celebration of Ki’s life will take place on Saturday, August 15, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at Ryan Funeral Home & Legacy Center, 6728 Mader Drive, Madison, WI. Ki’s family welcomes you to this informal event to enjoy a bite to eat and share a Ki memory, story, laugh or antic (of which there are likely many!).

Heartfelt thanks go to the UW Hospital nursing staff of D6/5 and TLC South for their outstanding care of Ki, and to all friends and family for reaching out during this difficult time.

Thank you, dear Ki, for the treasured laughs, music and memories.

I’ve looked at life from both sides now

From up and down and still somehow

It’s life’s illusions I recall

I really don’t know life at all.

Joni Mitchell

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made at supportnow.org/ki-moller-family to help the family with funeral and final expenses.

Ryan Funeral Home & Legacy Center
6728 Mader Drive
608-274-1000