It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Michael James Geertsema on February 25, 2026, at the age of 65. Michael passed away due to complications related to a scheduled heart surgery that his body couldn’t seem to recover from. He passed peacefully at the U of M Health Fairview – East Bank, holding the hands of his children and surrounded by his closest family.

Michael was born May 22, 1960, in Worthington, MN, to James and Lily (Grussing) Geertsema.

Michael was a soft-spoken, fair, and kind-hearted man with an adventurous streak. When he was young, he could be found zipping around his hometown of Worthington on his motorcycle. His bike made the venture to St.Cloud with him where he would eventually give up the thrill of riding for a number of years (he was a young dad for goodness-sake), but fear not, he would once again purchase a hog in his late 50s and take up the hobby again.

He attended Minnesota West Community & Technical College for surveying and later earned his Associate's degree in Civil Engineering from St. Cloud Area Vocational Technical Institute. Following graduation, he began his career at MnDOT, where he would spend decades building a legacy of steady excellence. After many years in property conveyance and appraisal, Michael helped spearhead the creation of the Property Conveyance Unit in May of 2014, a unit that generated $1.7 million in property sales in its very first year, with another $1.5 million in offer letters outstanding. The work he did returned land to tax rolls and directly funded the construction and maintenance of highways across the state. That was Michael: practical, purposeful, and leaving things better than he found them.

There are few things Michael loved more than the great outdoors of Minnesota. He was an avid fisherman, hunter, gardener and camper with a deep respect for the land. He was always planning his next adventure, always looking toward the next trip, the next season, the next reason to be outside. He made it known to those closest to him that when his time came, he wished to return to the earth that had given him so much joy.

He was kind, and he was gentle. He was slow to anger and he was patient. He taught me that I could fix almost anything if I was willing to learn and he would be there to help should I ever ask. That is a legacy I will carry throughout my life.

To us, being Dad was his greatest role. But there was so much more to him than that. He was also a friend, a brother, a trusted colleague, a confidant, a handyman, a mostly-green-thumbed gardener, a grandfather who showed up every week, the list goes on and on.

We invite you to share pictures and memories with us. We lost him too soon, and it would mean so much to learn even more about him now.

Michael is survived by his son, Patrick Geertsema of Albertville and wife Aly; his daughter, Rachel Geertsema of Minneapolis; his grandchildren, Max and Broc Geertsema; his brothers, Glenn Geertsema of Blaine, Larry Geertsema of St. Cloud and wife Britain, and Steve Geertsema of Worthington and wife Jennie; and many, many cousins, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.

He is preceded in death by his father, James Geertsema; his mother, Lily Geertsema; and his beloved dog, Ginger.

A Celebration of Life and Memorial is being planned for this Spring. Details will be shared as soon as a date is confirmed.

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