Obit: Kaplanek, Michael #2 (1963- 2009)

Contact: R. Lipprandt
Email:  bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Bastress, Hardwick, Hawkins, Kaplanek, Kunkel, Vold, Wavland

----Source: The Tribune - Phonograph (Abbotsford, Clark Co., WI), Wednesday, March 18, 2009, Page 16

Kaplanek, Michael (July 28, 1963 - March 15, 2009)

Michael E. Kaplanek died of natural caused on March 15, 2009, at his home in Colby, Wis.

He was born July 28, 1963, at Fort Sam Houston, in San Antonio, Texas.

He was raised in Milwaukee and later in Altoona. He is a 1982 graduate of Altoona High School, where he excelled in sports. He competed at the sate level in track. He held the pole vault record for many years at Altoona High School.

He later joined the Army reserve. He was a proud member of the 287th Engineer Battalion as a combat engineer, based in Eau Claire.

He married Holly (Hardwick) of Altoona in 1982.They had a son, Michael.

Later, he married Pam (Kunkel) of Thorp, They had a son, Cory and a daughter, Jessica.

He graduated from UW-Eau Claire with a degree in social work. He was currently employed at Community Care of Central Wisconsin, Marshfield.

He enjoyed collecting and was an avid camp enthusiast.

He is survived by two sons, Michael Wavland, Eau Claire, and Cory Michael, Colby; one daughter, Jessica Lee, Colby, mother, Charlotte (Ron) Vold, Eau Claire; three brothers, James (Jodie) Orfordville, Marty (Carol) Bastress, Fond du Lac, and John, Texas; and one sister, Kim, Peppin.

He was preceded in death by his father, James Kaplanek Sr., grandparents Dale and Jessie Lee Hawkins, and Henry and Marjorie Kaplanek.

Visitation will be held Friday, March 20 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Abbotsford, Wis.

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