My heart was saddened when I was told about Mike, or Twig. I'm very sorry for the heartbreak those who loved him have had to endure from his passing. He was genuinely sincere. Not being blood related, my namesake family's information is slow coming to me.
My lasting memory of Mike related to an experience that has me laughing whenever I think about him. Early on in our acquaintance, he'd asked me to stop calling him "Twig".  From that moment on, he was Mike.
He'd invited me to go with him to his "School Dance." Without explaining, I assumed it was as he said, "A School Dance." He mentioned that a band was playing, and it sounded like fun! So I agreed and we set the time for him to pick me up. He showed up in a polyester "tux"? I said, "Aren't you a little overdressed for an ordinary dance?" His response was "that's what he was told to wear." Again, I assumed he was the Emcee. And I didn't mention anything afterwards. When we showed up to Crete High and I was confused. I asked Mike if someone was getting married? Everyone was wearing tuxes and formal gowns, and there I was wearing a pair of unzipped jeans. I was pregnant and starting "to show." I had a T-shirt to cover my unzipped jeans, Mike gave one of his to me, after stopping too quickly at a red light! My Pepsi spilled down the front of my shirt! So I went to the Dance wearing a red Crete Cardinals T-shirt. When we got inside the gym, Mike handed his two tickets and we went inside. It was an immediate realization that this "School Dance" was his SENIOR PROM! 
We made the best of the date. I overcame my embarrassment and had a great time. So did he. I'll always treasure my memories with Mike. Especially when he played love songs on an accordion to me. The reality of my life stood in the way of anything further than a genuine friendship. That was the best part.

Well, no one probably wants to hear about this, but Mike was my 1st Boyfriend as a Teenager.  My girlfriend in Highschool, Karen Rezac,  had relatives (a Grandmother) that lived in Crete.  So we were in Crete off and on during the Weekends.  If I remember  correctly, Mikes band was playing somewhere in Crete.  Not sure if it was Tuxedo Park or another place.  Anyway.  My friend, Karen, and I went to see his band.  I think Karen was seeing Kenny Blaten (sp) at the time.  I believe Mike played "These Eyes" (?) as sort of an introductory before introducing himself to me.   I went to his Senior Prom with him and wore his Mother's Peach Colored floor length Dress that night.  Didn't go to my own Prom, so his Prom was the One and Only I attended.

It's been many years since then.  So....  Mike was a real Good Guy.  I respected him very much.  What a Sweet Heart. 


Grandpa Mike, I will always remember you as my role model.You never complained no matter how much pain you were going through.You always wore a smile. I love you grandpa. <3

A celebation of Mike's life will be held Sunday, April 15 at 2:00 at JJ's, 2310 N. lst (Cornhusker & lst) in Lincoln.  Please join us as we pay tribute to a very special man.  (www.jjsbarngrill.com)

Our deepest sympathy to Sharon, Ginger and Twig`s family. Though I hadn`t seen him in a long time I do remember him as a young man. We know the pain that you are going through as we went through it last year ourselves. Thank goodness for all the memories we have of our loved ones.  
Darrol & Marla(Strouf) Shutts

my sympathy to sharon and ginger Its wrong he had to go so young

                                                           ANN BEHRENS

I will always remember Twig with a smile on his face.  He was the only guy in our 4-H club and he was such a trooper about it.  I think he especially enjoyed the fact that he was the best cook in the entire club!

We had lots of good times at the Havlat house over the years.

Our sympathy go out to my good friend and bandmate Chad and his family in the loss of Mike.  Chad and I have played in a band now for a long time and I know how much his Dad means to him.  I will always remember talking music with Twig at Chad and Tammy's wedding reception.  I could tell how much he loved his playing days.  He was a real nice guy and has a great family!!!  RIP Mike!!

I was very saddened to see that Twig passed away, what a guy.  You probably don't remember us..The Pospichal's...we loved Twig, he was a great kid, and so very talented.  We didn't know where he settled and raised his family and that he struggled with MS.  My mother died of MS at the age of 50, so we know the struggles of the terrible disease.  A beautiful picture of him, our sympathy to his Mom, Ginger and family.  He will never leave our memories of a great time watching him grow along with his lovely little sister Ginger.

Sharon, Ginger & family, my heart goes out to you during this sad time.  How wonderfully full Twig's life must have been being a musician and a dad.  I know he had a rough time through Jr. High & high school. He was always in trouble with Miss Belka, and I felt sorry for him to go through that,  but he found his calling.  My thoughts and prayers are with you.

If you hear your house cricking, its your dad checking up on you.. Sorry for your loss. And we're always here if you need a ear to listen.. Love Kat and Dave

No one could touch Mike singing "Ain't No Sunshine" that's for sure.  Lot of memories from the Whale days.  You leave Steven and Chad a great legacy.

Thank you for smiling when you had plenty of reasons not to. Thank you for showing us what courage is. Thank you for fighting the battle. And thank you for being part of our family. We will miss you.

We were married for almost 15 years...and had 2 wonderful sons....you will always have a place in my heart, and you will never be forgotten....you live on in the eyes and hearts of your boys and grandkids everyday

Mike was a wonderful man and talented musician. We had lots of laughs and enjoyed playing music together for many many nights for the five years Sirius played together. He'll be joining our drummer Jack, who passed away a few years ago, in the rock and roll band of the great beyond. Here's a photo of the last gig by Sirius. Our hearts go out to Mike's sister Ginger, kids Chad and Steve, and the rest of the family. He will be missed.

Mike... I'm going to miss you a lot. From our first days together in Renegade to our "Glory Days" in Sirius, you were the vocalist that I always wanted to be. Oh man... I'm so sad right now that I can't think of anything else to say. I'll submit something later.

My brother battled MS for ten years and never once did he ask "why me?"  But that was my big bro.  He embraced life, and even when faced with insurmountable obstacles, the smile remained along with that twinkle in his eyes. I used to kid him that he called me "sis" because he couldn't remember my name. Later I came to realize that nickname was part of our special bond, just like he was always "Twig" to me.  I am gonna miss him so much but will find comfort in a lifetime of memories shared.  If only I could have one more noogie.

OBITUARY

Michael Havlat

10 June, 1955 – 26 March, 2012

Crist Mortuary & Cremation and Mountain View Memorial Park

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