Michael Lee Hayek was born in Seward on Sept. 5, 1963, to Thomas and Lois (Bolen) Hayek and passed away in Ulysses on April 16, 2023, at the age of 59 years, 7 months and 11 days, after his nearly three-year battle with Glioblastoma cancer.
Mike grew up in the Ulysses area. He attended and graduated from Seward High School with the Class of 1981. After his completion of high school, he enlisted into the United States Navy where he served from Oct. 3, 1983, until being honorably discharged on Feb. 16, 1986. During his time in the Navy, Mike was stationed on the USS Kitty Hawk, where he worked as a catapult operator. After Mike’s release from the Navy, he worked at several factories and later did concrete work. He used his woodworking talents and did finish carpentry work. Mike was a skilled carpenter and spent countless hours working and tinkering in his wood shop. He was also an accomplished quilter. Mike enjoyed the outdoors where he loved to hunt and fish. He always loved to joke around and enjoyed each day to the fullest. Mike had a love for music and spent a lot of time playing the guitar and harmonica. He played the saxophone in high school and even carried his sax along with him on the Kitty Hawk.
Mike is preceded in death by his father, Thomas Hayek; and nephews, Alan Hofer and Donald Hayek, Jr.
Survivors cherishing his memory include his love, Christina Nickolite, Columbus; his mother, Lois Hayek, Ulysses; daughter, Shailee Hayek, Lincoln; siblings and spouses, Donald and wife, Glora Hayek, Ulysses, Teresa and husband, Eric Hofer, Seward, Linda and husband, Kevin Levi, Mankato, Minnesota, and Matthew and wife, Debbie Hayek, Seward; stepdaughter, Crystal Starr; nieces and nephews, Joshua Hayek, John Hayek, Jamie Meierdierks, Joseph Hayek, David Hayek, Ross Hofer, Hanna Hofer, Samantha Hayek, Saratoga Hayek, Cheyenne Hayek and Thunder Hayek; great-nieces, great-nephews and a host of friends.
A Celebration of Life was April 22. Arrangements by Zabka-Perdue Funeral Home.
