This week Polynesian pop group The Jets laid their family patriarch, Maikeli “Mike” Wolfgramm, to rest. The Jets Facebook page released a touching obituary to their father, detailing his life as a “son, brother, uncle, husband, father, grandfather, and friend”.
“As a resilient pioneer in the entertainment industry, his vision and faith to pursue the American Dream came to fruition between 1977 to 1989. He fearlessly formed the first Polynesian music group with his eight oldest children – the band known to the world as the Grammy Nominated group The Jets.”
“With Billboard hits still in rotation on radio today, they have touched millions of lives with their musical legacy. He was humbly thankful and proud of his rare accomplishment to see this dream for his family come true.”
Inspired by The Jacksons and The Osmonds, Maikeli decided to turn his children into a performing troupe. Interviewed by the now defunct Kickin’ it Old School blog, Jets member Moana Wolfgramm recalls those early days: “Our mother was our lead singer and our father assigned Leroy the task of teaching the younger ones musical instruments.”
“With no musical training, he learned by ear and taught the others their instruments. Eventually as we got older, Elizabeth and I joined the family show as dancers and singers.”
The Jets rose to prominence in the 1980s, reaching the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 with hits like Crush on You, You’ve Got It All and Make It Real. The group eventually split, but reunited in 2010 for their 25th Anniversary Reunion Show.
Read the full obituary below:
Maikeli Wolfgramm
10 February 1945 – 5 March 2021
One who walked to the beat of his own drum and dared to dream with his eyes wide open, Maikeli Iohani Wolfgramm, age 76, passed away peacefully in his sleep on March 5th, 2021 in Henderson, Nevada.
He was born February 10, 1045 in Neiafu, Vava’u, Tonga, son of Iohani Otto Melila Wolfgramm & Salote Lasini Fakatou.
He was raised in a home of faith exemplified by his parent’s missionary work for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, genealogy and family history work, temple work, and their great love of serving God and his children. He was blessed growing up with eighteen siblings of whom he loved dearly.
In 1964 he fell in love with Olimpia Vake Tavo, a beautiful Catholic young woman from the village of Matahau, Tongatapu. They ran away together to be married and were later sealed in the Salt Lake City Temple on January 31, 1966. They came to America in 1965 with Maikeli’s parents, siblings, and firstborn son, Leroy. After 56 years of marriage and a life journey they could’ve never imagined, their family grew to a total of seventeen children. In the latter part of their marriage, they served for 17 years as ordinance workers at the Redlands California Temple and the Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple.
As a resilient pioneer in the entertainment industry, his vision and faith to pursue the American Dream came to fruition between 1977 to 1989. He fearlessly formed the first Polynesian music group with his 8 oldest children, the band known to the world as the Grammy Nominated group, The Jets. With Billboard hits still in rotation on radio today, they have touched millions of lives with their musical legacy. He was humbly thankful and proud of his rare accomplishment to see this dream for his family come true.
Maikeli was a man that was fearless in his faith to God and was blessed with the ability to inspire hard work and sacrifice in his children. He had a quirky sense of humor that was surprising to many, along with his unique sense of style which he owned 100%. Always bringing a smile to others and a good laugh, he would talk to anyone and loved sharing many stories of a life well lived. He loved to travel. He thought independently and lived his life that way. Most of all he loved our Savior Jesus Christ and serving God’s children wherever he was led. He was a man of great faith, a man all his own.
As a son, brother, uncle, husband, father, grandfather, and friend, he will be truly missed by all who loved him. We love you Dad!
Thank you for giving us so many magnificent memories and stories that will keep us laughing and remembering your beautiful soul!
Until we meet again, ‘ofa lahi atu.
Maikeli is survived by his wife Vake, 17 children, 74 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, and 13 siblings. Preceded in death by his parents and 5 siblings.
