He was born Oct. 19, 1941, in York, Neb., the son of Edward and Marie Mariska. He graduated from Bear Creek High School class of 1959. Mike served our country as a cryptologist in the U.S. Army. Being a man of many talents, Mike had at least three careers. He was a contractor, a restaurant owner, and retired as an investigator for the State of Colorado. His interests and hobbies included being a pilot, hunter, fisherman, outdoorsman, building and remodeling, fixing and creating, tennis, photography, avid reader, offroading, camping, long standing Bronco fan, and entrepreneur. He retired in Sterling, Colo., and moved to Pagosa Springs, Colo. in 2006 where he was able to pursue all of his passions.
Mike married Linda Huston on Oct. 20, 2000. He is survived by his wife Linda, son Edward Keith Mariska, daughter Teresa McGuiness, and son Jeff Mariska from a previous marriage, his sister Emy Jo “Jody” Phillips, nephews Robert and Richard Phillips, stepchildren Lori Murphy, Julie Knapp, Kami Japp, sons-in-law Mike Knapp, Matt McGuiness, and daughter Renee Mariska, and 12 grandchildren.