Michael Dean Neese

Michael Neese, 75, quietly passed away in his sleep on April 9, 2025, at his home in Battle Lake.

Michael Dean Neese was born on April 4, 1950, in Wahpeton, North Dakota to Jack and Shirley (Ramstad) Neese. His family moved to Battle Lake in 1952, where he attended school through the seventh grade. In 1963, they moved to Westhope, ND where Mike graduated from the Westhope High School in 1968.

In 1970, he attended North Dakota State College of Science. Mike enlisted in the US Air Force and was stationed at the Minot Air base for eighteen months, then was transferred to the Elmandorf Air Base in Anchorage, Alaska for the remaining three and a half years. He loved Alaska where he did some hunting and fishing, his two favorite hobbies while there.

He married Sari Youngquist in 1974, they had one daughter. He married Kathy Neese in August of 1982. Not only did he welcome two bonus children, he and Kathy had two more children together. Mike was active with the American Legion and in years past he belonged to the Eagles and Lutheran Men’s Fellowship. He was employed with Minn-Dak Farmers Coop for thirty-six years. He also worked part time for Akerman Land Surveying, a job he loved.

In 2019, Mike and Kathy traveled to Alaska, a trip he had wanted to take for many years. During the years while his children were growing up, traveling consisted of going to hockey, football, and baseball games. In later years, he enjoyed following his grandchildren in any sport they played.

He is survived by his wife, Kathy; children, Kaia (Kyle) Speidel, Jaime Raftevold, David (Amanda) Neese, Tracy (Karen) Huizel, and Krista (Rod Kraft) Huizel; grandchildren, Megan Stezka, Nichole Hobson, Grace Raftevold, Waylan Raftevold, Rylan Speidel, Kellen Speidel, Kaiden Reque, Kohan Neese, Wyatt Whipp and Cooper Whipp; brother, Barry (Kris) Neese, Julie (Bill) Taylor, Jo Duncan, and Beth (Lou) Davis; uncle and aunt, Doug and Verona Betlach; aunt Robyn Neese; brother-in-law, Jeff (Heidi) Vansteenburg; and by numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Shirley Neese; sister-in-law, Raejean Toledo; brother-in-law, Dan Toledo; and grandparents, James and Janice Neese and Vic and Alpha Ramstad.

Memorial Service: 1:00 PM, Saturday, April 19, 2025, at First Lutheran Church in Battle Lake with visitation one hour prior to the service.

Military Honors: US Air Force Honor Guard

Interment: Trinity Lutheran Cemetery near Battle Lake.

Condolences:GlendeNilson.Com