Michael "Mike" Louis Pankonin was born on February 17, 1944, in Windom, Minnesota to the late, Kermit Elmer and Evelyn Agatha (Casey) Pankonin. He was baptized through the Evangelical Free Church of Windom in Cottonwood Lake and was a member of that congregation in his early years. Mike received his education in the Windom Public Schools, graduating from Windom High School in the Class of 1962. He then attended Worthington Community College for two years. On October 17, 1964, Mike was united in marriage to Eileen Thomas at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. This marriage was blessed with three children, Cindy, Lisa and Tom. This marriage was later dissolved. On July 5, 2002, Mike was united in marriage to JoAnn "Joy" Byam at the Cottonwood County Courthouse in Windom. Through the years, Mike worked for several auto body shops and had his own radiator repair shop. He ended his career at the City of Windom Street Department where he worked for 35 ½ years as a mechanic until retiring in 2009. After retiring, Mike continued to live in Windom with Joy and they had several good years of retirement together. On Saturday morning, November 28, 2020, Mike passed away unexpectedly in his home in Windom at the age of 76 years. Mike was a past member and president of the Cottonwood County Game and Fish League. During his membership he spearheaded the Cottonwood Lake Aeration System to its completion. In 2009, he was awarded the Mayor's Medal of Honor "Mayor's Choice" award for the numerous items he designed and fabricated, including picnic tables, lights, hanging flower pots and street sweeper modifications to name a few. Mike's street sweeper modifications won him an award through a mechanics magazine contest and were later incorporated into the new street sweeper design. Mike was a member of the Roulettes band and raced cars as a young adult. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, billiards and golfing, but most of all he loved and enjoyed time spent with family. Mike is survived by his wife, Joy Pankonin of Windom; three children, Cindy (Troy) Pankonin-Fundahn of Mankato; Lisa Sprague (Shawn Licht) of Windom; Thomas (Colleen) Pankonin of Mankato; eight grandchildren, Josh, Jacob, Joe, Sam, Dillon, Jordan, Courtney & Brooke; step-mom, Evelyn Pankonin of Windom; three siblings, Gene (Donna) Pankonin of Windom; Pamela Stewart (Jeffrey) of Apple Valley; James Pankonin (Jean) of Windom; and many nieces and nephews. Mike is preceded in death by his parents and an infant sister, Patsy Ann Pankonin. Blessed be the memory of Mike Pankonin. A private, family, memorial service for Mike Pankonin, age 76 of Windom, will be held on Wednesday, December 2nd, at the LaCanne Family Funeral Home in Windom with Pastor Jeff Stewart officiating. Mike Pankonin passed away on Saturday, November 28th, at his home in Windom.