Michael J. Hannaher

Michael J. Hannaher, Moorhead, died on December 20 at home with his family. A sneak attack by pancreatic cancer took his life. Michael was born March 29, 1949 to Thomas P. and Mary A. Hannaher at St. John’s hospital in Fargo. He graduated from Moorhead High School in 1967, and spent one year at Moorhead State College before attending the University of Minnesota where he graduated magna cum laude in 1971 with a B.A. in Journalism.

He then attended the University of Idaho College of Law where he served on the Board of Editors of the Law Review, and graduated with a J.D. in 1974. While there he met Elizabeth C. Hannaher who was pursuing a M.A. degree. Mike and Elizabeth married in 1974, and moved to Moorhead.

He began a 32-year legal career as a partner in the law firm of Gjevre, McLarnan, Hannaher, Vaa and Skatvold. The friendships and camaraderie with his fellow partners was wonderful, and helping clients solve simple and complex legal problems gave him great satisfaction. In particular he enjoyed serving as city attorney for a variety of Minnesota communities, including Barnesville, Dilworth, Comstock and Kent. He took pride in helping clients establish low-income housing projects in rural Minnesota for over 50 communities. In 2006 he began a second career as a philanthropic fundraiser, first as Director of Development at the FM Area Foundation and for six years as Director of Major Gifts & Planned Giving for the Sanford Health Foundation in Fargo.

Mike was passionate about volunteerism, which he passed on to his daughters. He volunteered for North West Minnesota Legal Aid, First Congregations Church-Moorhead, Moorhead Rotary, Salvation Army-Fargo, Lake Agassiz Regional Library, Historic Probstfield Farm, FM Areas Foundation and United Way of Cass-
Clay. He assisted many non-profit organizations with legal advice. Mike loved golf, including playing with a standing foursome of 25 years. Recently Mike developed an interest on photography, guided by his high school classmate and friend Wayne Gudmundson.

Mike is survived by Elizabeth, his wife of over 40 years, daughter Katharine H. Hannaher and her husband Lester Hannaher, and their two sons Wesley
W. and Michael J. born December 9 of this year; daughter Ellen O. Hannaher; parents Thomas P. and Mary A. Hannaher; and siblings Thomas J. Ann, Daniel P. Loral, Mary P. David Nelson and Paul Kay Hannaher.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Sanford Health Foundation-Roger Maris Cancer Center, Sanford Health Foundation-Hannaher Inc. Endowment and African Soul, American Heart.

Memorial Gathering: Monday, December 29, 2014, from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M., in Wright Funeral Home, Moorhead, MN.
Memorial Service: Tuesday, December 30, 2014, at 1:30 P.M. in Trinity Lutheran Church, Moorhead, MN.