Michael E Sollner 

Michael passed away sometime between May 14 and June 7, 1977 at the age of 29. His body was recovered and he was officially declared deceased on June 7th.  He was the victim of an apparent drowning in a small lake near Thompson, Manitoba, Canada as a result of a canoeing accident that tragically also took the life of his 4 years old daughter, Natalie. Michael was born in Chicago, Illinois. His parents were attending Northwestern University at the time, then moved to Lawrence, Kansas to attend the University of Kansas where his two sisters, Susan and Becky, were born. The family then moved to Battle Creek, Michigan in 1953.  His parents divorced and his father moved back to Lawrence, Kansas. In 1964, following his junior year at BCCHS, Michael went to a boarding school in Drumheller, Alberta but, due to the different education system and culture shock, Michael moved to live with his Dad in Lawrence, Kansas to finish high school. His mother with his two sisters, Susan and Becky, stayed in Canada at Eden Valley Indian Reserve which is located southwest of Calgary, Alberta. His mother had taken a teaching job as well as being the principal of the school there. After Kansas, Michael resided for a while in San Francisco, California followed by Vancouver, British Columbia and Calgary, Alberta. He eventually settled in Thompson, Manitoba and worked as a truck driver for a nickel mine.  Michael was a member of the Dramatics club his junior year and also had an interest in karate. Survivors at the time of Michael’s passing included Natalie‘s mother, Linda M. Nicholas;  father William J. Sollner (deceased Nov 11, 2017); mother Sue Sollner (deceased Dec 16, 2017); sister Susan K. Low (Ron); sister Rebecca L Golding (deceased June 18, 2008); half-brother David B. Sollner, step-mother Chardell Andrews (David’s mother); step-mother Faye Sollner (deceased July 24 2005), step-mother Janju Chen Sollner; and nieces and nephews.  

Information from the Battle Creek Enquirer, Battle Creek, MI., February 4, 1961 and April 8, 1965; Susan Sollner Low and husband Ron, David Sollner; family friend Margaret “Peg” Klesner; and obituaries for William and Fay Sollner and Rebecca Golding.