November 6, 1963 – Sunday, October 2, 2011
Service Information
Church of St. Francis in Buffalo, MN
Friday, October 7, 2011
10:00 A.M.
Visitation Information
The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo
Thursday, October 6th
6:30 P.M.-9:00 P.M.
Michael John LaPlant, age 47, of Moorhead and formerly Buffalo, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, October 1, 2011.
Mike was born on November 6, 1963 to William and Arlys LaPlant of Buffalo, Minnesota. He attended Buffalo Schools and was a 1982 BHS graduate and a very integral part of the wrestling team.
Mike was always very active and loved to be outside playing baseball, snowmobiling, canoeing, swimming, and riding bikes, but his true love was hunting, trapping and fishing. An avid outdoorsman, Mike was known for his ability to find the fish on any lake he put his boat in. Being the typical fisherman, there were always the stories of the one that got away, but those stories paled in comparison to the numerous fish he caught, including the 63 pound grouper he caught in the Gulf of Mexico.
On June 9, 1984, he married Wendy Heinecke of Buffalo. Together they started a family and raised two sons, Jacob Michael and William “Billy” John.
Mike is preceded in death by his grandparents, John and Margaret LaPlant and Leona and Bernard Jorgenson; aunt, Judi (Jorgenson) DeMarais; and uncle, John “Jack” LaPlant.
Mike is survived by his parents, William and Arlys LaPlant; sons, Jacob and William “Billy”; sister, Debbie (LaPlant) Gens and Tim; two brothers, Douglas LaPlant and Judy; and Joseph LaPlant and Cindy; nieces, Lindsay (LaPlant) Wurm and Kyle, Meghan (Gens) Miller and Andrew, Melissa (LaPlant) Berkenes and Chad, Chelsea (Gens) Wendel and Brian; nephew, Trevor Gens; and great nieces, Maya and Adelynn Miller; many aunts and uncles; and numerous friends, fellow hunters and fishermen.
Visitation will be held at the Peterson Chapel in Buffalo, Minnesota on Thursday, October 6, 2011 6:30p.m. – 9:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Buffalo, Minnesota on Friday, October 7, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. with viewing beginning one hour prior.
The Peterson Chapel assisted the family with arrangements.
My Deepest Sympathy to the LaPlant Family. I am so sorry to hear the news of Mike. Chelsie (my daughter) is part of your family and Billy is a part of mine. I pray that Mike has found peace and in time your hearts will mend. My prayers go out to each of you.
With Love & Sympathy,
Jan Pride
So sorry to hear about the death of your dear son, brother, and uncle. Our hearts and prayers go out to your family at this time of loss. Blessings, Steve and Lenae Addabbo (old neighbors of Tim and Deb from Owatonna MN)
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
The entire Laplant Family is in our thoughts and prayers. May the Lord fill you all with His peace that Mike is safe in His Heavenly arms. God Bless.
So very sorry to hear about the loss of Mike. My family’s thoughts and prayers are with you all. Always keep the good memories alive in your hearts!
You are all in my thoughts and prayers. May you all be of comfort to one another and God Bless you in this sorrowful time.
So sorry to hear about your loss. May you find comfort in Christ at this time.
Dear Bill and family,
My deepest sympathies. My best memory, and I have a ton of them, is one where he was so kind to me. I had just started wrestling. The mat was set up in the old auditorium where the plays were performed. I went out and got pinned in less than one second. I ran off and balled my lights out in the prop room. Mike was there instantly comforting me. That is my best memory of Mike and one I hold dear.
We hope in Christ. God bless you.
To the LaPlant family,
I can’t begin to tell you how sorry I was to hear about Mike. We always had coffee and B.S. stories in the wee hours in Granite Falls. He was a good friend of mine. Even though I’m from Michigan, we would text each other quite often. You are in my prayers and so is Mike, the pottyrocker. Rest in Peace, my friend.
Dear Arlys, Bill and family,
We are so sorry to hear about your tragic loss. We knew Mike from wrestling, as our daughter Tracy was a wrestling cheerleader, and dated Mike a few times. Years later, Dave played Texas Hold Em with Mike. He had an infectious smile and always so friendly. We can’t imagine losing a child, and you and your family have our deepest sympathy.
Dave and Jeannie
Dear LaPlant Family,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. May God hold you close and comfort you thru this difficult time. God Bless.
The Steven’s Family