It is with great sadness that we share the peaceful passing of Michael Allen Souchek, Feb. 9, 2025, at the age of 61 years.
Mike was born in Denver, Colorado, to Donald and Rose Marie (Macke) Souchek on Jan. 29, 1964. He had a sister, Donna Marie at home.
He attended Green Gables Elementary and Carmody Junior High Schools in Lakewood, Colorado. He went on to Bear Creek High School where he lettered in baseball and golf. He was also on the Bear Creek bowling team.
His bowling skills provided him with a full scholarship to Wichita State College in Kansas. The team there was number one in the college nation. He won the Singles Division at the college championships in Las Vegas his freshman year. He graduated with an associate business degree and used his wonderful people skills in car sales, mortgage sales and eventually managing a bowling center (his “dream job”).
Mike not only bowled in many leagues and tournaments but also was a USBC (United States Bowling Congress) Director for the Denver Metro Area helping Junior Bowlers, maintaining rules in all the leagues and presenting awards for high scores. A few of his many accomplishments and awards he received himself included Junior Bowler of the Year in the Denver metro area his high school senior year 1982 and went on to toss 7 - 300 games and 3 800 series in his career!
Mike enjoyed all sports events, not only playing all the previously mentioned. He was a big Rockies baseball fan and ushered at Coors Field on Sundays. He became a devoted Nebraska Husker fan, since his dad is an alumnus. He also traveled to several NASCAR races, including Talladega and Daytona. When professional hockey came to Denver, the Avalanche garnered his attention immediately. He always loved swimming from his earliest days. Spending a few weeks of each summer in Mullen, Nebraska, with his grandparents he took lessons from his cousin, Marg Macke and it paid off. It endeared him to Marg and several years later he was attending a dinner party at one of the car dealer’s homes. He jumped in a private pool and saved a 3-year-old who fell in the pool and would have surely drowned if not for Mike’s quick reaction to jump in and save him. Since he lived in the midst of the beautiful Rocky Mountains, he had to try skiing and “tree bashed” his very first try! Anything that was challenging or exciting, he was up for it.
He had an unwavering love for life, embracing every moment with enthusiasm, joy and zest. He seemed to light up a room when he entered and he made lifelong friends. He was so generous, hardworking and as his friends would tell you, “He would help you out in any way he knew how, even giving you the shirt off his back!” He maintained a relationship with his Lord and attended daily Mass before going to work each day and became a Communion Minister to take communion to the homebound every week.
Mike is survived by his parents. He has two children, Brooke Peoples and Michael Jr. and a daughter-in-law, Meagan, all in Houston, Texas. He also has two granddaughters, Harper and Hadley Peoples. He will be missed by his sister, Donna and her husband, Mark Westwood and their three children: nieces - Kelyn and Maggie Westwood, nephew - David and two great-nephews - Carter and Caiden, all who live in Waco, Texas. His aunt Bonnie and uncle Mike Waddington, Redlands, Calif., will fondly remember his bright mischievous blue eyes and fun-loving spirit. Their two daughters, Debbie Hughes (Mexico City) and Cindy Schoep (Bozeman, Mont.) and Mike shared many camping/fishing trips in the Rockies and several vacations to California.
Preceding Michael in death were his maternal grandparents, Joseph E. “Butch” and Cecile Macke of Mullen, Neb., and paternal grandparents, Albert and Mary Souchek of Hastings, Neb. His uncles Daniel Joseph Macke, Mullen, Neb., and William R. Macke and spouse, Jean Macke of Sacramento, Calif., also preceded him.
Mike’s celebration of life funeral Mass was held at Christ on the Mountain in Lakewood, Colorado, March 4, 2025. His interment was May 27, 2025, at Cedarview Cemetery in Mullen, Nebraska, with Father Matthew Nash officiating.