JoAnn Marie Mikowski Flaska

JoAnn Marie (Mikowski) Flaska, 74, a native of Cedar, passed away on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City, surrounded by her loving family: husband Scott and children, Kimberly, Carrie and Corey, holding her precious hands when she passed away. She was born on January 2, 1951, in Livonia, to Leonard and Theresa (Popa) Mikowski. She shared her January 2nd birth date with her older brother Daniel. JoAnn attended Holy Rosary School in Isadore until the 8th grade, the same school her parents and children attended. As a teenager, she worked in her parents’ store, Mikowski’s Market in Cedar. She was a 1969 graduate of Maple City, Glen Lake High School. JoAnn married Scott Lee Flaska on April 24, 1971, at Holy Rosary Parish of Isadore, and they recently celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary. Scott and JoAnn were high school sweethearts, Homecoming King and Queen and Prom King and Queen. Scott and Joann owned and operated Flaska Insurance Agency in Cedar from February 1975 until 2006. Together, they traveled the world to Hong Kong, Bangkok, France, England, Spain, Africa, Acapulco, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, New York City to see their daughter Carrie, New York City and California to see their son Corey, New Jersey and Kansas to see their daughter Kimberly, several trips to Florida and many family cruises to the Caribbean. Kimberly, Carrie and Corey have fond grateful memories of those visits from their Mom and Dad. JoAnn always made sure that the kids loaded up on supplies and food from Sam’s Club every visit. Kimberly, Carrie and Corey thought that was a treat! She loved to order things for her family, and we will miss her special packages of love. We all loved JoAnn and will remember her in different ways. She was a wonderful caring Mother and Wife, a fantastic cook known for her cheesecake, taco dip and cucumber salad at family gatherings, and her children always had what they needed. JoAnn loved a comfy bed and cozy pajamas, and this tradition was passed down to each of her children. She loved to spend hours watching the news each day. Back in the day, you’d often find JoAnn and her best friend Laurel Flaska Papineau boating on Lake Leelanau with her sister-in law Betty and brother-in-law Raymond Warnes. She will be remembered for her love of her family and kind heart. She loved to spend time with her children and grandchildren, who meant the world to her. She also loved all her pets past and present: Bootsie, Rusty, Dusty, Trusty, Buddy, Bruno, Rusty #2 and Gabby – many of them greeting her in Heaven. JoAnn is survived by her husband Scott; children Kimberly (Skip) Pugliese, Carrie Flaska, Corey (LeeAnn) Flaska; grandchildren Hunter, Aliza, Jordan, Alivia; brothers Donald (Patti) Mikowski, Dwayne Mikowski, Roger (Shelly) Mikowski; mother-in-law Marilyn Flaska; sisters-in-law Deborah Mikowski, Betty Warnes, Kathleen (Rob) Thoreson; brothers-in law Jerry (Michelle) Flaska, Robert (Joni) Flaska; Kristin Hounsell who was like her third daughter; many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends; as well as her loved four legged companion Gabby. She was preceded in death by her parents Leonard and Theresa Mikowski; sister Lori Mikowski; brothers Daniel Mikowski Sr., David Mikowski Sr.; father-in-law Charles Flaska; sister-in-law Laurel Flaska Papineau; brother-in-law Raymond Warnes; nephew David Mikowski Jr.; and son-in law Derek Rothgarber. A visitation will take place Friday, September 5, 2025, at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home from 5-7 p.m. The service will be celebrated at 1 p.m. on Saturday, September 6, 2025, with the family and friends viewing from 12-1 p.m. at Holy Rosary Parish of Isadore. A luncheon will follow the service in the parish basement. Burial in Cleveland Township Cemetery at 4 p.m. Saturday, September 6, 2025, located on County Road 669 (Bohemian Rd.) ¼ mile south of M-22, north of Maple City. Please visit www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com to share condolences and memories on JoAnn’s tribute page. The family is being cared for and served by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cedar Le Fleur & Gifts (231) 640-9898.

JoAnn Marie Mikowski Flaska

January 2, 1951 - August 20, 2025