Passed peacefully at home, Tuesday September 5, 2017 at the age of 67. Loving husband of Carol. Proud step-father of Jean (Joseph) Bartkiewicz, Bruce (Sharon) Wasielewski and Jill Dalton. Caring grandpa of 7 grandchildren. Preceded in death by his dear parents Louis and Suzanne Peters. Will be missed by other relatives and many friends.
Memorial Gathering at Krause Funeral Home, 12401 West National Avenue, New Berlin, Wisconsin on Tuesday, September 12, 2017 from 10:00 AM – 11:45 AM. Celebration of Life 12 noon.
He was born on March 3, 1950 in Milwaukee Wisconsin to Louis and Suzanne (Zlabis) Peters. He attended grade school in New Berlin and was a 1968 graduate of Brookfield Central High School. After high school Mike was proud to follow in his grandfather, father and mother’s footsteps and worked many years for Harley Davidson. After his position was downsized, Southwest Metal Finishing in New Berlin recruited Mike and this is where he finished his career retiring in 2009. Mike loved to golf and learned his skills at a young age. He spent a lot of time on the course at Greenfield Park where he often golfed with a Priest. Doubtful he had the opportunity to cheat which only enhanced his need to sharpen his skills. He loved life to the fullest and was always looking to make the best memories in all that he did. On March 8, 1997 Mike married Carol (Vesely) the love of his life. He was excited at the chance to have a big family and embraced it. Together Mike and Carol’s love for each other was apparent in all that they did. They embarked on life and spent every moment together. They celebrated their love of travel taking many vacations in their 20+ years together. Their honeymoon to Alaska, trip to Hawaii, as well as full family vacations to Disney and Lake Tahoe produced memories he talked about all of his life. Mike adored his wife and was happy to embrace family life. Although an amazing Step father, he treated his step children as his own from the very beginning. He was continuously supportive and proud of his 3 step children, Jean (Joseph) Bartkiewicz, Bruce (Sharon) Wasielewski, Jill Dalton. He loved being a grandpa and lived to bring a smile to the faces of his 7 grandchildren, Amanda Bartkiewicz, Allie Bartkiewicz, Andrew Wasielewski, Ashlyn (Greg) Briere, Madison Wasielewski, Brady Dalton, Riley Dalton. The countless family vacations, Holiday celebrations and amazing meals he planned and prepared were just a few of the ways Mike showed the abounding love he had for his family and ensured they all had amazing memories to cherish. Six years ago Mike was diagnosed with Stage 4 Colon Cancer. Mike’s battle though long and challenging was fought with never ending positivity and courage. Mike did not complain or spend his days with self pity. Instead he stayed focused on the positives and did his best to help everyone around him stay positive as well. Even in the end he had not given up. Mike was proud of the fact a typical Colon Cancer patient survives 3 years. Mike’s battle gave him 6 years. Only a year ago he took his entire family on a cruise and had already begun planning the next family vacation to Disney. Mike was not a quitter even at the very end his mind remained sharp as a tack. He was openly grateful for the love, support and prayers he received from all of those who loved and cared for him. Mike set a great example of how to live life. Spend time with those you love, take great vacations, eat amazing food, say thank you often and don’t spend time on what you don’t have but rather focus on all that you do.