Michael “Mike” Joseph Laskowski
Share
Memorial services for Michael Joseph (Mike) Laskowski, 61, Lawrence, will be held at 6 p.m. (Tuesday), January 14th, 2020 at Grace Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Lawrence. Mike passed away Wednesday, January 8th, 2020 at LMH Health surrounded by his family, sharing the legacy of love he created.
Mike was born on November 26th, 1958 in Orange, California, the son of Charles Joseph and Anna Mary Laskowski. The family moved to Lawrence, Kansas in 1959.
The role and importance of family to Mike cannot be put into words. He met his wife, Carolyn Sue (Carol) Blair, while working at the SupeRx Drug Store in Lawrence. The couple married on November 23rd, 1984, in Lawrence, Kansas. In 1989, they welcomed a daughter, Christine, and in 1991, a son, Mark. Mike’s immediate and extended family shared a great deal of joy in the company found with one another throughout the years with many trips, meals, nature walks, selected TV shows, time sitting and talking, and both indoor and outdoor games.
Mike truly loved any and every opportunity to be outdoors, whether it was going for a walk, bike ride, or simply finding joy in projects around the house and his gardens. He would often stay outdoors until the last glimmer of twilight, pausing only to enjoy the sunset, famously saying, “Just one more thing and then I’ll be in”. He greatly enjoyed spending time reading about and observing unique cars and he was a master at maintaining his vintage 1974 VW Beetle and 1986 VW Cabriolet. He loved staying active and played a variety of sports, passing this interest along to his two children. He always looked forward to summertime, when he participated in Red Dog’s Dog Days. He participated in this community fitness program for many, many years and earned numerous Dog Day’s t-shirts- displaying his dedication to a healthy life. His family would like to thank Red Dog (Don) and Beverly Gardner for providing this program.
Mike left behind a legacy of love and continuous selflessness, always seeking out opportunities to better the world of those he touched with joy, care, and selfless acts with no thought of recognition or praise.
Mike is survived by his wife Carol Laskowski, Lawrence, daughter, son-in-law, and grandson, Christine, Alex, and Luke Cate, son, Mark Laskowski, brother Charles Laskowski Jr., and sisters Joann Gelvin (Ralph Jr.) and Carol Jensen, Jacksonville, North Carolina, and father and mother-in-law, Ken and Pat Blair, (respectively) Lawrence, sister-in-law Cindy Gentry, Olathe, brother-in-law, David Blair (DeAnna), Shawnee, along with many special nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Anna Laskowski, Lawrence, sister, Barbara Kosalka (Stanley), Huntington Beach, California, brother-in-law, Nick Gentry, Olathe, and niece, Susan Gelvin, Topeka.
The family will greet friends for a visitation from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, January 13th, 2020 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence.
Memorial contributions may be made in his name to Red Dog’s Dog Days and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.
So sorry these of Mike’s pass g. He was a good friend and fellow worker at the Union. Always enjoyed catching up with Mike as we bumped into each other at Menard’s! God Bless family at this time of loss! Pat
Mike was a wonderful man. I would see Mike about once a month last summer and fall when he was out walking. He would always come by to visit to see how you were doing. He was more interested in you and how you were doing. He talked with great pride about his son and daughter and his wife Carol. When you were finished talking to Mike, you left with a good feeling about the world. He always had a kind word for everyone. I can honestly say that I never heard a negative word about anyone from him. Mike had a great passion for officiating young kids at the recreation center. You could see how much he cared about kids and wanted to make the game fun. Mike tried to teach the game as well as officiate. He was such a nice fellow and a dedicated family man. Everyone who knew him was touched by his kindness and generosity. He will be greatly missed.
I was so shocked and I am so sorry to hear of Mike’s passing. He had such a kind and gentle spirit and was always glad to stop and visit whenever we met in the neighborhood. He so lovingly took care of his flower beds and it was then that I’d often stop to talk. He always had a smile. A good man gone too soon.
So very sorry to hear of Mike’s passing. He was such a good guy and so enjoyable to work with at the Kansas Union for many, many years. He was so proud of his family! Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
I am so saddened to hear of Mike’s passing. I had the pleasure of working with him at the Kansas Union. He was one of the nicest people I’ve ever worked with. I received a Christmas card from him that I will treasure. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.
The picture of Mike is one we will always remember. It’s the same smile that he always greeted us with when ever we saw each other. Twenty years of working together at the Kansas Union was a pleasure.
And we agree…..never did we hear him utter an unkind word about anyone or anything. R.I.P. MIKE
So very sorry to hear of Mike’s passing. He was such a positive person in our neighborhood and enjoyed speaking with him while he was on his walks. He will surely be missed. Thinking of his wife Carol and his lovely family. The Cranes
So very sorry and saddened to hear of Mike’s passing. What a kind and caring man that I worked with at the Kansas Union! Prayers for your family.
Mike was truly a good man. Always a pleasure to work with, and I recall often running into Mike while at the lake, parks, always a pleasure to talk with. Peace to his family.
Don and I were very sad to read Mike’s obituary in this mornings Journal World. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and close friends!
With our love,
Don & Sandy Nease
Ernie and I are so sorry to hear about Mike’s passing. He was such a wonderful part of our neighborhood. Always had a smile and took care of his neighbor’s if needed.
He will be missed by us. Loving thoughts to his family.
The Laskowskis were our neighbors in Lawrence for many years. Anna and “Ski” were wonderful friends. My late husband and I loved them dearly. There were other neighbors not so well loved. Ski would cus at them in Polish, for which Anna would scold him (in Polish}! Condolences to all Mike’s family, with love.
Sorry to learn of Mike’s passing. Condolences to the family, he will be missed by many.
Steve and Carla Ramirez
We are so very sorry to hear of Mike’s passing. The Laskowski family is as nice as any family could possibly be. May God’s love be with them.
I met Mike when I worked with him at the Kansas Union. He was so kind. He delivered dinner to me and my family after the birth of my Son. He was beyond kind and thoughtful. He will be missed for sure and gone much too soon.
Sara Cummings
Had the great enjoyment of coaching Mike in the Holcom Baseball League. He was a real pleasure to work with. Pitched for our team his last year in the league. He did a wonderful job. I was so impressed with his hardworking attitude and he was very successful. My best to Mikes family and close friends. Larry Hatfield.
Mike was everybody’s favorite neighbor. He always had a smile and genuinely enjoyed visiting with neighbors and friends. His enthusiastic wave reminded us that Mike’s glass was always full — never half full, never ever empty. His lust for life is the wonderful legacy he leaves for us to recall and emulate. Our sympathies to Carol, Christine and Mark. We will miss Mike in the days ahead. But we thank God he was with us in the first place. –The Bengtson Family
Sorry to hear about Mike’s passing. When I think of him I think of a smiling person with positive energy. I attended all my public schooling with him. He was always kind, thoughtful, intelligent, focused, and grateful. He had a great sense of humor. He comes from a very loving family. I will keep them all in my prayers.
Mary Whitaker Davidson
So sorry to hear that Mike passed. I worked at the Kansas Union with him. I also trained with him as an official for parks and rec. He was a great teacher. He was the nicest person. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
I met Mike through the Red Dog’s Dog Days program in the summer. He was such a quiet and gentle man. I’m so sorry for your loss. I will miss seeing him.
Mike was a great guy! We often talked about our children and shared laughs about our role in our daughter’s weddings! Mike was one of those guys that I always enjoyed talking to. We were always talking about how lucky we were to have our wives and children. Through the years as basketball parents and fathers, Mike would often stop when walking by our house to chat in the evenings and I always enjoyed our talks.
My thoughts and prayers to your family.
Mike was a lifelong friend and neighbor. We spent many evenings playing 3 on 3 basketball at the Langhoffers.
Mike always had a smile on his face and never spoke a negative word about anyone.
So sad to hear of Mike’s passing.
Have so many fond memories of growing up with Mike and all the neighborhood kids, playing baseball, basketball, football and anything else that kept us active and outdoors.
So glad to have seen Mike this Past April, it had been too long.
My thoughts, prayers and love go out to all of the family and friends.
Carol, Christine, and Mark:
So sad to hear of Mike’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Roger and Connie Gentry
I’m so sorry to hear about Mike. He was a wonderful man. He was always so friendly, enthusiastic, optimistic, supportive, and much more. He will be missed.
I knew Mike from doing dog days at night. He was always there and never missed Dog Days. RIP Mike
Knew Mike when we worked at the Kansas Union. He was good to me never asking any tough bookkeeping questions about SUA or reservations, just checking to be sure were accurate. He was one of the better basketball players the one season we had a Union team. Saw Mike more at evening Dog Days workouts over the years and he and his family were in the stands at several KU women’s basketball games. Always a good guy and will be missed. My sincere condolences to the family.
Carol and family, my sincere sympathies for your loss. I also knew Mike from our days working at the Kansas Union, and will always remember him fondly as a great colleague and friend.
Mike was such a kind person even when going through a rough time. I’m privelaged to have met him and see the love he shared for his family. In the limited days I knew him, he had an impact I will hold on to. I pray you find some peace in this time.
I really missed seeing Mike at Christmas time. He was always pretty quiet and would just take in the scene around him. I know he is missing watching Luke growing up. Mike was a very caring person and he led by example. He is still greatly missed.
I really missed seeing Mike at Christmas time. He was always pretty quiet and would just take in the scene around him. I know he is missing watching Luke growing up. Mike was a very caring person and he touched many lives. He is still greatly missed.