Michael Allen Petracek

Husband, son, brother, uncle and friend, Michael Allen Petracek passed away on May 16, 2025, at the age of 70, after a battle with lung cancer.

Born in San Diego, California, to Eloise Evelyn Petracek, Mike moved to Utah at the age of 7. Mike packed plenty of personality into life. He was a fierce competitor at family game nights (especially UNO), a lifelong Utah Jazz fan, a devoted wrestling memorabilia collector, and an enthusiastic—if slightly off-key—singer. He was particularly fond of serenading his sister Brenda with "Puppy Love" while she was dating Scott.

Michael joined Project Turn, a program that brought him community, friends, and joy around 1980. Project Turn is a nonprofit organization founded in 1973 by a group of parents in Utah who sought better services for their adult children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Michael was supported for more than 45 years by the dedicated staff and community of Project Turn, where he experienced not only care but friendship.

It was through Project Turn that Mike met Rayma, and the two were married in October 1992, making their home together in Ogden, Utah. Mike was preceded in death by his wife, Rayma Petracek (2022) for 30 years.

He was also preceded in death by his mother, Eloise (2014), and his cousin, David Mong (2024), with whom he shared a lifetime of laughter, friendship, and somewhere between seven and ten phone calls a day.

As Michael's health needs increased, he eventually exceeded the level of care that Project Turn could provide. In April 2024, he transitioned to the Chrysalis care program and Hospice care where he spent the final chapter of his life.

While Mike never held a traditional job, he had a full-time career in being unapologetically himself—funny, stubborn (in the best way), and proudly original. He was a talented bowler and a longtime Special Olympics competitor, earning numerous medals and even more memories over the years. He had the rare gift of saying little but meaning a lot.

Mike’s absence will be deeply felt, but his humor, his heart, and his spunk will continue to shine through in the stories we tell, the laughter he inspired, and the love he left behind. Every time a Draw 2 hits the table during an UNO game, his classic “Pick-em-UP!” will echo in our memories—reminding us of the joy he brought to even the simplest moments.

He is survived by his sister Brenda Collard, who never stopped laughing—or rolling her eyes—at his antics; her husband, Scott, whom he called no fewer than four times a day; and his nieces, Amy and Kayleen, who absolutely adored their Uncle Mike.

Funeral Services will be held Thursday, May 29,2025, at 2:00 p.m. at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Road Layton, Utah. Friends may visit with family on Thursday prior to services from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at the mortuary. Interment, Lindquist’s Memorial Park at Layton, 1867 No. Fairfield Road Layton, Utah.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Community Nursing Services (CNS). CNS is a non-profit home health and hospice organization at cns-cares.org.