Mike LaPlante, 62, of Red Lake Falls, MN died on Thursday, December 15, 2011 at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND. Services will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, December 21, 2011 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Red Lake Falls, MN. Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM with a 7:00 PM prayer service on Tuesday, December 20, 2011 at the Community Hall in Red Lake Falls, MN. Michael "Splash" LaPlante was born on April 20, 1949 in Crookston, MN, to Ernest and Therese (Gervais) LaPlante. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Red Lake Falls and spent many years serving the church as an Usher. Mike attended St. Joseph Catholic School from the 1st through the 6th grade. He then attended Lafayette High School where he graduated in 1967. During high school he worked part-time for his Uncles, Albert Jr. and Gerard Gervais, in their Standard Station and continued to work there after he graduated. It was Jr. and Gerard that taught Mike the love of hunting and fishing; which, he in turn, passed on to his own kids. On October 24, 1970, Mike was united in marriage to Kathy (Hams) LaPlante, at St. John Lutheran Church, in Red Lake Falls. Mike and Kathy made their home in Red Lake Falls. Mike went on to work at Robertson Lumber, Detroiter Manufacturing, J.E. Schraeder, St. Joseph Catholic School and then for School District 630 as the Maintenance Supervisor until his retirement in September of 2007. He also worked as a Bus Driver for the School District for many years as well as being a Hockey Coach. Mike also found great joy after retirement in farming, as he had been helping the Knute Knutson Family with their family farm for the last 4 years. Mike loved fishing, hunting and golf, but he had a passion for hockey. He had been involved in Red Lake Falls hockey for 36 years, coaching at all levels, including youth and high school. He was the Eagle's Assistant Coach for many seasons and during the 1984-85 hockey season, he Co-Head Coached with Dick Lambert. He was also a hockey referee for several years and loved watching the game. He served as the Blue Line Club President and was on the board that was instrumental in making the Blue Line non-profit for charitable gambling. Most importantly though, hockey has blessed Mike with many wonderful friendships that will always be a part of him! Mike was a Volunteer Fireman in Red Lake Falls, for 20 years, and served as an Assistant Fire Chief for 8 years. He served on the board for Oak Knolls Golf Club and spent part of that time as President. He also spent many falls at hunting camp with some of his best buddies! Mike enjoyed all of these things immensely; however there was nothing he enjoyed more than his family, who he loved so much. He treasured spending time with his kids and adored his grandkids. He attended as many of their games, concerts and programs that he could and enjoyed every moment of them. Mike was preceded in death by his grandparents, his dad, Ernest LaPlante, and his mother-in-law, Lila (Weiss) Hams. He is survived by his wife, of 41 years, Kathy; a daughter, Mandi (Darcy) Cardinal of Red Lake Falls; 2 sons, Paul (Shelly) LaPlante, of Roseau, MN, and Aaron LaPlante of Reiles Acres, ND; 5 grandchildren, Hope, Anna, Kilah, Teagan and Josi; his mom, Therese LaPlante Maxson, Red Lake Falls; 3 sisters, Audrey (Mike) Bachand, Oklee, MN, Lois Jahnke, Red Lake Falls, and JoAnn (Mike) Walicski, Moorhead, MN; and 1 brother, Father Bob "Spluck" LaPlante, Detroit Lakes, MN; his father-in-law, Arlie Hams, Red Lake Falls; 5 Godchildren, Stephanie Bushee, Chris Dargon, Tara (Bachand) Cowart, Briana Walicski and Rowan Kennett; very special friends, OJ Kennett & Family, and Jeff DeLoss; and aunts, uncles, many nieces, nephews and cousins. In lieu of flowers, Mike had requested that memorial donations be made to Red Lake Falls Hockey.