Dear family, 

Even far away, Mike was close to my parents and such a wonderful memory and so many stories to share about their time together.

My condolences,

With love from Nootdorp, The Hague, The Netherlands.

Jeanette Scherpenzeel

Our family was impacted greatly by the love and grace Mike showed to us during our years living in Russia. We met Mike during one of his visits to Samara State University where we were serving students as Bible teachers. His kindness, wisdom, and warmth was a tremendous blessing to me and my wife. Later after we had moved back to the U.S. we were able to get a lunch date with Mike as he was on a business trip to Portland. He took Kristen and I to lunch and encouraged us so much. We were in the middle of a very difficult transition back to the US with small babies. Mike was a ray of light during a dark time. His words were so life giving. We will miss him and look forward to the reunion above. We love you Mike and will see you again my friend!

We, "Bob and Marilyn" will miss the visits with Mike so much! Our 1st meeting was in 1959 and we were teenagers.  Miles and jobs seperated us and yet our paths crossed often.  We lived in Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, and Missouri.  Mike and Rae lived in many states as well.  Mike made sure to keep in touch on line and meeting for dinner some times when traveling on Business.  In recent years Mike and Rae would pass through Kansas City from their annual Colorado Ski trip.  Mike and Rae led such an interesting life as they traveled the world.  I pray that God will put us all together in Heaven, some time in the future.

Cousin Bob and Marilyn  PH:816-630-6801

BobandMarilynGerdes@gmail.com

I worked with Mike at BPWD and always appreciated his commitment to the district. We shared many Quatros pizzas and beverage pitchers. The discussion always started with business and ended with family. Both on which he was passionate about. I'll miss those times. RIP my friend. 

My thoughts and prayers are with Rae and the rest of the family. My time with Mike and Rae was primarily in Bahrain where we both spoke at the local ASSP conference. Our favorite memory was dinner at a nearby Indian restaurant owned by some Brits. Love to all, Thom Kramer. 

We met Mike and Rae at Church of the Canyons, Canyon Country, CA and had an immediate connection with them. Rae took Kathy to her chemo treatments and we enjoyed time together in CA.

In 1998 we relocated to Portland, OR and so did Mike and Rae for a short time during one of Mike's many business relocations. We visited frequently with them both, enjoyed trips together to the Oregon coast, and were sad when they moved to their "forever" home in Cobden. However, Mike made his way back frequently on business and stayed with us. Great times for certain.

We were fellow Christ-followers and prayed constantly for each other's families. We were also "age contemporaries" with 56 + years of marriage too. Regardless of the time between visits, it always felt completely natural to resume conversations as if we just visited the previous evening.

Sadly too, my Kathy preceded Mike to an eternity with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on December 12, 2023 after a decades-long battle with cancer. Mike and Rae checked in on us constantly to see how Kathy's battle was proceeding. Sadly, because we miss them both and naturally would love them to still be with us.

My heart and love goes to Rae, Toni, Erik, and their families. Mike's departure from this life is a devastating loss indeed!

My condolences to Rae & family.  Have known Mike since 1992 where we worked together in St. Louis & Denver.  Mike was instrumental with our move to Fort Collins where we still live, enjoying the mountains.  I will miss his funny emails. He was a good man and will be missed.

Black Diamond Grill, Copper Mountain, CO — with Tom Wyles and Mike and Raelee Williamsen

After a day of skiing — with Mark Mays, Tom Wyles and Mike Williamsen

I worked with Mike for a long time in ATCO Electric helping to reduce injury.  If it were not for his help a lot of our employees, especially frontline, would be seriously injured or worse.  Mike had many strengths, skills, and competencies.  He always impressed me with his council.  Most of all he was just a wonderful person who was a pleasure to be around.  When I retired he was one of the first to call and help an old engineer move on.  He took great interest in my family.  We kept in touch, mostly online but also in person.  Though I am not family, I feel I have lost a brother.  I will not say good bye Mike, I hope to see you again.   Know that you leave behind a legacy of work that will keep you here a long long time.

Tony Palladino

I am shocked and saddened to hear of Mike's passing.  He has been a great friend for a very long time.   We first met at the Frito-Lay headquarters in Dallas in the mid 1980's where we learned that we shared many common values and beliefs.  Due to job changes and transfers we lost track of each other for several years but crossed paths again in a chance meeting in the St. Louis airport in 2003.  We have remained friends ever since occasionally exchanging visits at each other's homes over the years.  I grew up on Southern Illinois, and our mutual appreciation of that area became one of our popular conversation topics.  Our many hours of conversations touched on countless topics from science to politics and most importantly life in general.   I will miss his insightful analysis of the many economic and political issues facing our country as well as his valuable advice on life itself.  Mike was a wonderful friend, and I will miss him tremendously.

         

Always considerate, contemplative, good-humored, gracious and respectful, you were one of the best and smartest - in the broadest sense of the term - people I ever met in business, and became a good friend. Your love and dedication to your work and family, the very caring and deliberate way in which you balanced these two passions, and your truly and prolifically adventurous spirit remain virtues of great admiration and inspiration to me. Our heartfelt sympathies to Rae and your family. I'll miss you, Mike. May the heavenly host have sweetly serenaded you on your arrival.  Love, Ron