Michael Koplitz

With heavy hearts, we are saddened by the unexpected passing of Mike on November 10, 2017 in California. Born September 12, 1961 to James and Sharon (Janz) Koplitz. He married his High School sweetheart Laura (Przybylski) Koplitz on August 29, 1987 and celebrated their 30th Anniversary last summer. He will be dearly missed by his little buddy "Teddy", who sat on his stool waiting excitedly for his papa to come home. Teddy enjoyed singing to his papa on the phone and at home while his Hallmark and other stuffed toys played music. There were many things throughout his life that he held dear to him and enjoyed doing. He made it a point when on the road to call Laura every day to make sure she was alright, and she and Teddy were safe. She, in return, would make him his favorite home cooked meal and have it waiting for him when he came home off the road. They enjoyed farming together on their beef farm, and in earlier years, shared a deer farm with many magnificent bucks. It was their plan for Mike to retire next spring after 31 years at Kolbe & Kolbe to start building their retirement home in Tripoli. In his younger years Mike enjoyed spending time with his Grandpa (Buster Janz) just hanging out. He liked riding and racing motocross dirt bikes, restoring his Ford Mustang by himself, and building his log cabin with his brother, Brian. He enjoyed fishing trips to Canada and hunting trips out West with friends, and at their cabin for the last 35 years. In these past years, he just liked coming up North spending time at their farm and the cabin to hang out with family and friends. He also took pride in, and enjoyed his special time when grandpa Earl Koplitz came to live with them and worked with him, side by side, teaching him how to farm. We will all miss him dearly and will never forget his infectious smile that lit up his whole face. He is survived by his wife, Laura; mother and father, Jim and Sharon Koplitz; brother, Brian Koplitz; niece, Amanda (Jeff) Sarauer; aunt, Donna Janz, aunt, Mary Ann Przybylski; father in-law, Roman Przybylski; sister in-law, Susan Riedel; brother in-law, Ken Kersten; sister in-law, Sandy (Gary) Kozlowski; and brother in-law, Mike (Kari) Przybylski; nephews, Richie, Eric, Joe and Kenny Kersten, Travis and Tyler Kozlowski, Aaron and Ryan Larson; nieces, Tanner, Victoria, Makenna and Sammi Przybylski; and many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews throughout the family. He is preceded in death by his brother, Stevie Koplitz; sister, Shelly (Koplitz) Bonnel; and brother in-law, James Bonnel; grandparents, Buster and Shirley Janz and Earl and Stella Koplitz; mother in-law, Carol Przybylski. A celebration of Mike's life will be held Saturday, December 2nd at 11:00 am at Brainard Funeral Home - Everest Chapel, 5712 Memorial Court, Weston. A visitation will be held from 9:00 am until the time of service.