Michael D. Seivert, 74, Federal Dam, Minn.

Michael D. Seivert, the son of Donald and Bernice (Kamies) Seivert, was born Dec. 18, 1947 in Sibley. Mike graduated from Melvin Community High School and attended Iowa State University for one year before being drafted into the U.S. Army. After training he served in Vietnam, and grew to become a lifelong patriot.

Upon his return from Vietnam, Mike was united in marriage to Joleen Timmons on March 16, 1969. After being discharged, Mike continued his education at the North Central Technical College in Wausau, Wis. for a two-year course in Mechanical Design. Mike and Joleen built their first new home on 38 acres of wooded land in Wausau where Mike worked for nine years in the mechanical design field. However, once a farm boy, always a farm boy. Mike and Joleen moved back to the Melvin/Hartley area where they raised their family and farmed for the next 35 years.

Mike was active and enjoyed being involved in any community in which he resided. He served on the H-M-S School Board, the A merican Lutheran Church Council, the Leech Lake Association Board, and filled in as councilman for the Federal Dam City Council. He was always a willing volunteer.

After retirement, Mike and Joleen moved to their dream destination in northern Minnesota where they had a home built. Mike's passion was spending time on the lake fishing and enjoying nature, and he was always introducing the next generation to this pastime. Most of all, Mike loved his family and was willing to do anything for them or give a helping hand to his friends. One seldom saw Mike without a smile on his face and he loved to laugh (even at his own jokes).

Mike is survived by his wife, Joleen, of 50-plus years; his son, Brent Seivert (friend Julie), of Breezy Point, Minn.; his daughter, Michele (Matt) McKinney, of Chanhassen, Minn.; and the most important of all, his grandchildren Blake, Anna and William.

He also leaves behind his sisters, Joanne Woodrich and Connie Clark, along with his brother, Robert Seivert (Pat), sisters and brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, friends and family.

He was preceded in death by his parents; father and mother-in-law, Robert and Evelyn Timmons; brother, Glenn; and brothers-in-law, Craig Wallace and George Woodrich.

Anyone that knew Mike can still hear his laugh and knew he loved life. There will be a celebration honoring Mike in the future.