Beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother.

Mike is survived by his wife, Mari Anne; sons Jeremy, Kyle (Amy) and Eric (Brooke); grandchildren Jayden, Patrick, Brycen, Aubrey and Avery; sister Kathy Ohrt (Gene); and many other family and friends.

Mike was a kind and gentle soul. There were no limits to the love he had for his family and friends.

Mike worked at many jobs throughout his life. He loved motorcycles (Triumph was his favorite), and enjoyed working at a motorcycle repair shop. He could tell great stories of interactions with Hell’s Angels and how they befriended and helped him. Mike worked at his friend Tim’s business putting in boat docks and lifts. He liked being near the water (although he never really learned to swim). For a time he went on yearly fishing and camping trips to South Dakota with friends. Mike worked for many years as a technician repairing copiers, duplicators, fax machines, etc. Friendships with co-workers continued beyond the job and were often lifetime.

Mike loved going camping and hiking, riding his bicycle and even simple drives in the country. A lot of fun date nights were going out to eat and then to roller derby. The PGI (Pyrotechnic Guild International) has conventions in the Midwest and became an almost annual camping trip that Mike encouraged family and friends to join in on.

Mike could figure out how to fix most anything. When he built something it was made to last.

Mike’s dogs were a very important part of his life. Hopefully he is loving being reunited with them.

Mike’s diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, in January of 2012, was devastating to us. The support of family and friends throughout Mike’s long slow decline has meant so much to us. It is a disease that slowly robs us of our loved one. Mike handled it with dignity.

Mike loved his family and friends so much and was very much loved by us. Mike will be greatly missed.

Memorials are suggested to the Veteran’s program at HETRA (Heartland Equine Therapeutic Riding Academy) or to Immanuel Lutheran Church community garden program. HETRA was wonderful in working with Mike and Mari Anne for as long as Mike was capable of participating. Simply trying to groom a horse was something Mike enjoyed, and he loved working in his garden.

Visitation will be on Friday, February 23rd, from 6-8 pm. Services will be on Saturday, February 24th, at 11 am with lunch following. Both will be held at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 104 Galvin Road North, Bellevue, NE.

~~~Obituaries courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair, Nebraska Public Library~~~