Michael A. Poterucha

Surrounded by his family, Michael Anthony Poterucha, 61, died of acute myeloid leukemia Friday, Oct. 6, 2017, at a Mayo Clinic hospital in Rochester.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Rochester, with the Rev. Thomas Loomis officiating. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. today, Oct. 9, in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home in Rochester. A rosary will follow the visitation.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hiawatha Homes, 1820 Valkyrie Drive NW, Rochester, MN 55901 (website: https://hiawathahomes.org/make-a-gift/) or Seasons Hospice, 5650 Weatherhill Road SW, Rochester, MN 55902 (website: seasonshospice.org/donate/)

Mike was born Jan. 26, 1956, in Effingham, Ill., the second child of Henry and Esther (Gdowski) Poterucha. Mike married Erin Kathleen Clark on Aug. 22, 1998, in Rochester, and she passed away on May 22, 2001.

Mike found joy in the gift of family and friends. Mike was known for the gentleness of his soul and his love of reflective conversation. After the death of his wife, he found solace in walking the roads near Mayowood, where nature became his sanctuary. After his leukemia relapse in November 2016, he was blessed to spend 10 additional months with those he cherished.

He is survived by his daughter, Bridget of Rochester; his father, Henry, of Effingham; his siblings, Kathy (Hank) Bonutti of Bloomfield Hills, Mich., Thomas (Terri) Poterucha of Rochester, John (Bonnie) Poterucha of Rochester, and Jeannie (Bill) Poterucha Carter of Rochester. Mike also had five stepchildren, David, Sara, Megan, Amy and John Clark.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Erin; mother, Esther; and stepdaughter, Megan.

We wish to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers and visits during Mike's illness. We are also grateful to those who cared for Mike, especially Drs. Mark Litzow, Mike Mesick, Syed Rizvi and all of the dedicated and kind staff at Mayo Clinic Eisenberg 7 and Seasons Hospice.