Mike Asplund

With heavy hearts and a touch of disbelief, we say goodbye to the incomparable Michael Asplund, who passed away Friday, November 3, 2023, at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics.  His life was a testament to laughter, love, and a remarkable knack for turning the ordinary into the extraordinary.

A gathering to celebrate Mike’s life will be 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, April 7, 2024, at the Hampton Heritage Center.  What better way to celebrate Mike than to wear something Disney!  The family would also love it if you would write down a favorite memory of you and Mike at the event.

Cremation will take place at Trimble Crematory, Moline, Illinois, under the direction of Cremation Society of the Quad Cities.  Memorials may be made to the family for a fund to be established in Mike’s memory.

Michael Everett Asplund was born June 16, 1959, in Moline, the son of Everett and Muriel (Samuelson) Asplund.  He was proud to be part of the UTHS class of ’77. 

Mike’s most proud titles were Husband, Father and Grandfather. 

He married the love of his life, Sherry Johansen, on October 21, 1981, in Moline.  The couple was inseparable from the time they first met working together at Mr. Steak in East Moline.  Together, they belonged to the former First Christian Church, Moline, where they shared their faith and love through their participation in the Friends in Christ Class for many years.

Mike was a dedicated father to Seth and Amber, and his love extended to Amanda and Jason as they joined the family.  The apples of his eye were his grandsons, whom he adored. His love and influence will forever echo in the memories of his entire family.

Mike’s career and passions intertwined seamlessly. His role as the Technology Director for East Moline School District #37 was not just a profession but a canvas for his boundless creativity. He pioneered the position, keeping stride with the ever-evolving technological landscape for over two decades until his well-deserved retirement in 2019.

His creativity knew no bounds. A craftsman extraordinaire, he dabbled in more artistic ventures than one can count. Clay molding, photo matting, photography, woodworking—Mike was a modern Da Vinci in a Disney shirt.  He also loved spending time on his computer playing online games with friends or whipping up something creative, science fiction shows, Star Trek, Marvel movies and a great cup of coffee. 

But what truly set him apart was his heart of gold. He’d move mountains if it meant helping friends and family in need. If you needed a smile, he’d give you a joke. If you needed a hand, he’d give you both.

A devotee of the magic and wonder of Disney, Mike’s enthusiasm for all things Disney was infectious.

Mike’s departure leaves behind a crater-sized hole in the lives of those who were fortunate enough to know him. He’s now probably fixing the Pearly Gates' Wi-Fi and discussing camera angles with the angels. As we mourn his loss, let’s remember him not with sadness, but with the laughter and joy he brought into our lives.

Mike is survived by his beloved wife, Sherry; his son and daughter-in-law, Seth and Amanda Asplund of Port Byron, Illinois; his daughter and son-in-law, Amber and Jason DeLaRosa of Wesley Chapel, Florida; two grandsons, Holden Clayburne and Alaric “Ari” Asplund; his mother, Muriel Voss of Bettendorf, Iowa; a sister and brother-in-law, Shelley and Brian Trunnell of Bettendorf; Sherry’s mother and step-father, Carol and Albert Kipp of Hampton, Illinois; and Sherry’s siblings, Terry and Rich Smith, and Scott and Victoria Johansen.  He was preceded in death by his father and step-mother, Everett and Norma Asplund; his step-father, Raymond Voss; and his brother, Steven Asplund.

"Laughter is timeless, imagination has no age, dreams are forever." - Walt Disney

“Ohana' means family, and family means no one gets left behind or forgotten." – Lilo & Stitch

Condolences may be shared at CremationQC.com.com