Michael Steven Kolnik, 70, of Thorp, passed away peacefully at his home on Feb. 22, 2023.
Mike Kolnik was born on Nov. 26, 1952. He was the second child of Raymond and Dorothy Kolnik of Walworth, where he and his siblings grew up.
Michael welcomed his first child Michael Kolnik Jr., in 1974. Michael united in marriage to Gail E. Garrett on June 29, 1979. Together Mike and Gail welcomed four children together. In 1980, they welcomed their first son together, Matthew. Then in 1984 they welcomed Mark. Then they welcomed Melissa in 1986.
Mike and Gail lived in Walworth for 37 years. In those 37 years, they welcomed nine grandchildren. After living in Walworth for 37 years, they moved to Thorp where they have been living for seven years.
Mike will be truly missed by his family and friends. He was very family oriented and would always call just to catch up. Mike had a reputation as the family jokester among his nieces and nephews. Whenever they were around, he loved to play jokes on them and just have fun.
He always loved spending time with his children and grandchildren whether visiting, sitting around the campfire, or going fishing with them. Oh boy, did he love to fish and have his family with him. Of course, he was always the one that won the dollar for the first keeper. He will always be remembered this way.
We will leave you with this poem that my dad loved, called a Fisherman’s Prayer.
I pray that I may live to fish until my dying day. And when it comes to my last cast. I then most humbly pray. When in the Lord’s great landing net and peacefully asleep that in his mercy I be judged big enough to keep.
Mike leaves behind his wife, Gail Kolnik of Thorp; his children, Mike (Leanette) Kolnik of Genoa City, Matt (Lauren) Kolnik of Canton, Michigan, Mark Kolnik of Walworth and Melissa Kolnik (Nate Hackler) of Sheldon; his grandchildren, Noah and Peyton Kolnik, Elijah Kolnik, Tristan and Natalie Kolnik, and Chayce, Konnyr and Cayden Hackler; siblings, Raymond (Jeanne) Kolnik, Linda Austin, Joe (June) Kolnik and Tim (Laura) Kolnik.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Dorothy Kolnik; his daughter, Michelle; his grandson, Aidan Kolnik and his brother-in-law, Richard Austin.
A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, April 15 at Grace Evangelical Free Church in Walworth. Visitation from noon to 2 p.m. with the church service to follow immediately after. After the church service. people are welcome to join his family for a toast to his life at Cruise Inn in Walworth.
