Michael Gregory Abnet

Michael Gregory Abnet, 56, of La Crescent, died suddenly at home on Tuesday, March 6, 2018. He was born the 4 ^th of 10 children on July 22, 1961, in La Crosse, to Gregory and Josephine (Wieser) Abnet. Due to a quick, early entrance into this world, he was baptized at birth. He received his First Holy Communion on Jan 28, 1968 and confirmation on Nov 2, 1976 at The Church of the Crucifixion in La Crescent where he was a lifelong member. At Crucifixion, he was active in the parish on the finance and parish councils, was a eucharistic minister, and enjoyed providing the hayride for the Parish’s Summer Funfest every year. He had a strong faith, as God was front and center in his life. This was evident in his devotion to his family, work at St James/Providence Academy, and his prolife stance.

He graduated from La Crescent High School in 1980 and attended Western Tech for the agriculture diploma course and spent many years farming with his dad. His deepest dream for his life was to always be a farmer. Due to circumstances beyond his control, this was not to be. And although this was a devastating loss for him, he continued to try and better himself, therefore, he received an associate degree in Architectural Technology and a Wood tech diploma from Western Tech. He spent many years driving school bus and coach for Ready Bus Line in La Crescent. He was loved by the students and he loved them. This love led him to take the job of Facilities manager at Providence Academy, his daughter’s school. He was loved by faculty, students, and parents alike. During the summer of 2017, he also took on the role of facilities manager at St. James the Less Catholic Church. Here he worked for God and never the “clock” or a paycheck.

Mike was a quiet, generous, and humble servant of God and he selflessly gave of himself expecting nothing in return. In that way, he used his talents as a member of the Msgr. Speltz Council 5115 Knights of Columbus, spending 2 years as Grand Knight. He was a member of the 4 ^th degree Bishop Kelley Assembly of the KCs.

He married Diane Krause, the love of his life on October 28, 1995. They were blessed with a beautiful daughter through adoption, Michaela Marie. As a family they never forgot the joys of adoption and the importance of the prolife movement. They enjoyed travels with destinations such as Dearborn, MI; New York, NY; and Washington DC.

Michael is survived by his wife, Diane, and his daughter, Michaela. Also survived by his mother, Josephine of La Crescent and his 9 siblings: Mary Jo (Scott) Wickus of Johsntown, PA; Debra (Curt) Crane of Elk River, MN; Ellen Abnet and Dan Abnet of Minneapolis, MN; John Abnet, Paula (Kevin) Rosendahl, and Erick (Julie) Abnet of La Crescent; Cheryl (Pete) Boma and Maureen (Curt) Wagner of Brownsville, MN; Two brothers-in-law: David (Ann) Krause of Stoddard, WI and John (Leanna) Krause of La Crosse. He is further survived by his aunt Mary Wieser of La Crescent and uncle David Abnet of Rochester, MN. as well as 35 nieces and nephews, many cousins, his countless friends, and work family.

He was preceded in death by his father, Greg; mother and father-in-law, Ruth and Robert Banasik; grandparents; and several aunts and uncles.

He was a fully devoted and loving father, husband, son, brother, uncle, and friend. He would go out of his way to do anything for anyone. He will be dearly missed.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 10th at Church of the Crucifixion, La Crescent. Rev. Gregory Havel and Rev. James Altman will concelebrate. Burial will follow in the Crucifixion Catholic Cemetery. Friends may call at the church on Friday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. and again on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to time of services. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.