Michael Galkowski

Michael E Galkowski, 85, of Winona, MN died Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at Sugar Loaf Senior  Living.

Mike was born July 15, 1938, to Helen Ruszel and Casimir Galkowski and was raised in Chicago Heights, IL. Typical of the day, he grew up in a three-generation household on Chicago’s ethnically diverse south side. Catholic education was a priority and as a teenager, he rode a train forty-five minutes each way to Mount Carmel in the city since it was the nearest Catholic high school. He graduated from Mount Carmel and then later Benedictine College in Atchison, KS. He also later earned a master’s degree from Loyola University in Chicago.

Mike married Lynn Schultz, also of Chicago Heights, on August 19, 1961, at St. Joseph’s Catholic church. They remained in the Heights while he taught high school at Marion Catholic and worked at the family A&W drive-in. In July of 1969, he accepted a role in admissions at St. Mary’s College and they moved the family to Winona, MN. He worked there for 30 years, mostly as the registrar before retiring in 1999.  They have been devoted members of St. Mary’s Catholic Church their entire time in Winona.

He and Lynn would have been married 63 years this coming August, and she meant the world to him. Together they raised four children: Mick, Sue (Jim) Spiten, Jim (Julie), and Laurie (Denny) Mahoney. In addition, they have seven grandchildren: Leslie (Ryan), Josh, Matt (Megan), Sarah (Bret), Allison, Olivia, and Daniel; as well as four great-grandchildren William, Everett, Simon, and Paul. They all survive him.

Dad adored Mom and together in retirement, they took up golf and enjoyed quite a bit of travel throughout the US.

Our gratitude for the caregivers in the Sugar Loaf Senior Living Memory Care Unit is off the charts. Dad flourished and he (and we) count many friends among the staff and residents – it’s really been a blessing. The same is true for the Winona Health Hospice team, especially his dedicated nurse Heather. Dad was always embraced with kindness and compassionate care, and we are forever thankful!

To honor his wishes, family will hold a private family Mass and gathering. Burial will be at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Winona.