Michael Roberts Vogel

A visitation for Michael Roberts Vogel, 57, Lawrence, will be held from 6 – 8 p.m. on Friday, April 30, 2021 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence.

Michael Roberts Vogel, departed his earthly bounds early morning on April 24, 2021, under attentive and compassionate care at KU Medical Center.

Born on May 30th, 1963, he left us shy of his 58th birthday…gone far, far, too soon.

If you truly knew Mike, you loved him. He was one of the most genuine humans that has ever lived. Thoughtful, helpful, down to earth, and caring, he worked hard to be there for his family and friends.
He enjoyed serving people through his rise in the hospitality industry. You may have known him as the “cool under pressure” smiling face at Taco Grande, Dairy Queen, Cornucopia, Chipotle, or On The Rocks. Or, he may have entertained you at the black jack tables as he dealt cards over the past several years. If you worked with Mike somewhere along the way, you most likely recall him as kind, reliable and fair.
Mike was a life-long Lawrence resident, a dedicated KU basketball fan, a lover of travel, Lake of the Ozarks, music and their adorable dogs.
Most of all, Mike truly loved his family. He married the love of his life, Anita Young, thirty-four years ago. It was the best decision he ever made. As companions and confidants, they started from scratch and built a loving life together and a beautiful home, just outside of Lawrence. Through challenges and great times, they were a team in every sense of the word. Falling in love as teenagers, they kept the embers glowing and relationship strong, through four decades.
They brought their beautiful daughter Sydney Vogel into this world 30 years ago. Sydney is the perfect combination of the best of both Mike and Anita, — intelligent, hardworking, loving and kind, she is truly “Daddy’s girl”.
Mike is preceded…by his mother, Eleanor Sue Evans; step-father Paul Evans; father, Ed Vogel; and father-in-law, Ray Young.
He is survived by his loving wife, Anita Vogel, Lawrence; daughter, Sydney Vogel, San Marcos, Texas; aunt, Fern Vogel, Grandview, Missouri; beloved mother-in-law, Lolita Hill, and father-in-law, Mike Hill; and thousands of friends. He will be truly and deeply missed, by those who knew him.

The family suggests memorial contributions to be made in his name to the Lawrence Humane Society and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.

25 Condolences

  1. Michele (Schurer) Johnson on April 27, 2021 at 3:41 pm

    I just want to send my condolences to the family. I didn’t know Mike well but was a classmate with him at LHS. (class of 1981) Our paths crossed many times over the years and he was always friendly and nice. I’m sure he will be missed. Prayers and positive thoughts as you celebrate his life and enjoy memories together.

    Michele



  2. Cristy Sullivan on April 27, 2021 at 4:16 pm

    Syd,
    I am so sorry about your Dad. He was always such a light. If I can do anything Syd please let me know. I have you all in my heart and prayers!
    Cristy



  3. Barb Ball on April 27, 2021 at 4:19 pm

    Sending hugs and prayers. My thoughts are with you and Family.



  4. Debbie Filkins on April 27, 2021 at 7:31 pm

    Mike was a man like no other. So sorry for your loss.



  5. Delores Elm on April 28, 2021 at 6:29 am

    Anita,
    Thoughts and prayers for you and your family. We are so sorry for your loss.



  6. Debbie Feist on April 28, 2021 at 12:00 pm

    Anita and family, my thoughts and prayers are with you, Sydney and your family at this time. Cherish his memories..

    Debbie Feist



  7. Bryant Baecht on April 28, 2021 at 12:49 pm

    So sorry to hear about Mike’s passing. We always had a smile on our face going to Chipotle, but knowing Mike was there always made it bigger. Wanted to pass on one of our cherished moments with Mike…I remember the day we told him we were thinking about having our wedding dinner at Chipotle ( Obviously, not traditional! ) and he was so generous with setting things up for us. That’s a day I’ll never forget including his kindness. Always liked talking to Mike, and sometimes he could get away for a bit to chat. But he was an incredibly hard worker, and always was working. Would see him from time to time after Chipotle, and he always had a smile on his face. Seems The Good Ones are not long for this world. Sorry to hear of his passing, but you can bet your last dollar he’s keeping it interesting upstairs. 🙂 Until we meet again Mike, Miss ya!

    Bryant



  8. LaDonna Commons on April 28, 2021 at 2:16 pm

    Anita, my deepest condolences. Thoughts and Prayers for you and yours.

    LaDonna Commons



  9. Paul Szeptycki on April 28, 2021 at 2:57 pm

    To his whole family, I am so sorry for your loss. I remember as a kid, moving into a new neighborhood, Mike was someone who welcomed my brother and me to play with all the other kids in the neighborhood. He was such a nice guy all the way through high school. Lost touch with him but often thought fondly about hanging out with him as kids.



  10. David & Debbie Evans on April 28, 2021 at 4:33 pm

    Anita and family, Sending healing prayers and comforting hugs. With Deepest Sympathy to all of you.



  11. Jason Willems on April 28, 2021 at 5:38 pm

    I’m so sad to hear of Mike’s passing. My first job in high school was at the local Dairy Queen, and Mike and Anita were the managers. Mike was funny, honest, and super hard working. He set a great example for me. I haven’t lived in Lawrence now for over 15 years, but my parents still do and they would tell me they would run into Mike occasionally around town, and he still knew their names. He always took the time to chat with them and would make sure to have them tell me ‘hi’. Rest in peace, and my sincerest condolences.



  12. Shannon Channel on April 28, 2021 at 6:11 pm

    Anita . I’m so sorry for your loss. My thoughts an prayers are with you an your family.



  13. Teri L Davenport on April 28, 2021 at 6:54 pm

    I’m so sorry for your loss. I got to know Mike through our Dairy Queen days together, many fun memories there. He’ll be missed. My thoughts are with you!



  14. Alanna B on April 28, 2021 at 8:21 pm

    Anita & Sydney I’m so sorry for your family’s loss. I have lots of great memories of working with him at Dairy Queen & seeing him around Lawrence after the DQ years. He was a great guy!



  15. Mary Willems on April 29, 2021 at 10:20 am

    When our son got his first job in high school it was at our local Dairy Queen. Mike always had a huge smile on his face, & his work ethics definitely made a big impression on our son. He always greeted us with a great big smile & years later, we would run into Mike & he ALWAYS visited with us and ALWAYS asked about our son, Jason. (Where he was, what’s going on in his life, married?, etc) Mike is a man who will truly be missed. May God comfort you all during this time of losing your husband, father & son. God sure has a great new Angel.



  16. Cammie Garrison on April 29, 2021 at 3:22 pm

    My deepest sympathies!



  17. Amy Downing-Drake on April 29, 2021 at 10:05 pm

    Anita and Sydney,
    Thinking of you during this most difficult time. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
    Amy Downing-Drake



  18. terri thornton on April 30, 2021 at 9:28 am

    Anita so sorry to hear about Mike, I saw him last year at the casino and had a nice little talk. Every time I saw him I would tell him he needed to open a taco grande back up in Lawrence. He sure enjoyed his short time on earth.



  19. Susie Case on April 30, 2021 at 11:25 am

    Anita.. I’m so sorry for your loss.. keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.



  20. Angela Kennedy Drybread on April 30, 2021 at 4:34 pm

    So sorry Anita. Mike was a wonderful human with a smile that could light a room! You were both wonderful mentors to me at DQ and shaped me into the manager I would later become throughout the years. Such fond memories for me. Prayers to his girls!
    Angela Kennedy Drybread



  21. Alan & Yvonne Garcia on April 30, 2021 at 6:05 pm

    Anita,
    So sorry to hear of Mike’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
    Alan and Yvonne Garcia



  22. Kevin Willems on May 1, 2021 at 4:41 am

    So sorry to hear of Mike’s passing. I knew Mike for a lot of years. Was one of the nicest guys I know, always had a smile on his face!! Hardworking, dedicated guy who loved his family! Prayers for all the family.

    Kevin Willems



  23. Doris I Ricks on May 2, 2021 at 10:45 am

    I am so sorry to hear about your lost. Micheal was a kind loving man. Prayers go up for his daughter and wife Anita. May God watch over you and yours.



  24. Doris I Ricks on May 2, 2021 at 10:48 am

    I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Micheal was a kind loving man. Prayers going up for his daughter and wife Anita. May God watch over you and your family.



  25. Robert geddings on July 20, 2023 at 11:25 am

    So very sorry for the loss your family has had to endure.



Leave a Condolence