Michael James Thoelke

Mike was born in Saint Louis to H. F. (Bill) and Marjorie Thoelke. He moved to Kansas City in 1963 and completed high school at Southwest High. He attended UMKC and UCM where he completed his degree in Criminal Justice.

When Mike’s dad passed away, just prior to his 19th birthday, Mike took on the role of head of house and looked after his mother and youngest sister.

Mike enlisted in the Air Force Reserves. He also joined the Kansas City Police Department where he retired in 2001 as a sergeant after 30 years of distinguished service.

Mike liked sports of any kind and tennis, golf, skiing, and baseball were some of his favorites. He really enjoyed watching the Jayhawks, Chiefs, and Royals. Mike never meet a dog he couldn’t spoil rotten.

Mike met Kathy and his whole world changed, she was truly the love of his life. They married in 2006 and instantly became a very much-loved part of each other’s families. Kathy had a sense of humor and fast wit that matched Mike’s dry sense of humor and smart wit, they played well together even though it could be challenging to carry on a “normal” conversation with Mike!

Mike truly cared about people, family and friends were very important to him and he was loyal to a fault. Mike will be greatly missed by many!

Mike is survived by his wife Kathy; her children Tom (Mona) Hinson, Kim (Dan) Baker, and David Hinson; his godson Ryan Miles; siblings Sue (Richard) Koehler, Nancy (Bob) Reinagel, and Rita (Paul) Saunders Jr.; in-laws Michaela Witcher, Bridget (Dustin) Peck, Bob (Susan) Witcher, Dan (Brenna) Witcher, Mary (Troy) Smith, Pat (Jen) Witcher; 9 grandchildren, Cali Hinson, Nicole Baker, Danny Baker, Jack Baker, Mikey Baker, Braeden Hinson, Jordan Hinson, Anna Hinson, and Payton Miles; great granddaughter Harmony Miles, along with several nieces and nephews. He also leaves his two beloved dogs Margie and Buddy!

Mike is preceded in death by his parents Bill and Marjorie Thoelke, his brother and sister-in-law Hank and Gaby Thoelke.

There will be a visitation held on Friday January 6 at 1:00 PM followed by a funeral service at 2:30 PM at McGilley State Line Chapel, 12301 State Line Road, Kansas City, MO 64145. Private burial at Mount Olivet at a later date.

The family suggests, in lieu of flowers, please donate in memory of Michael Thoelke to support the neurological research of Dr. Christopher Gomez at the University of Chicago Medicine. Checks may be payable to the “University of Chicago Medicine” and sent to the following address: University of Chicago Gift Administration and Business Data, Michael Thoelke Memorial, 5235 S. Harper Court, 4th Floor, Chicago, IL 60615. You can also donate online at http://giving.uchicago.edu/michael-thoelke.