Michael J. Pehler

Michael John Pehler left this world for his last home on Wednesday, August 12, 2015.

Michael John Pehler was born to Eugenia Konkel and Henry Pehler on January 3, 1944 in Winona, MN. He was raised in Rochester, MN and was an avid member of Boy Scouts. Mike graduated from Lourdes High School in Rochester. He then attended Rochester Community Technical College and later Moorhead State University where he was a proud member of Phi Sigma Epsilon. He graduated with a Bachelor’s in Social Work and in 1994 he completed his Specialist Degree from MSUM. One of his greatest self-taught lessons was to always investigate your educational choices, as he learned in his senior year at MSU that he had no desire to be a social worker. He instead found his drive in security and spent a majority of his career 10 days shy of 34 years as the Director of Security at Moorhead State University. Mike decided to try something different in his retirement and worked part time security at Concordia College until 2013.

Mike married Claudia Bolstad in 1976. Although they divorced in 1996, Mike’s greatest accomplishments, Elissa and Nathan, were born into the marriage. In 2006 and 2010, Mike’s greatest blessings were introduced. Mike could usually be found with at least one of his grandchildren, Joshua and Olivia. He loved taking them to local events, the air museum and nearby zoos. Each trip resulted in a large number of photographs, souvenirs, and scrapbooks that Mike created for the little ones.

Mike held many different positions within many different groups. Advisor to Phi Sigma Epsilon, Scoutmaster in Boy Scouts, member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church parish, and sat on the City of Moorhead Public Housing Board. He refused to slow down until his health turn in 2013. He is forever grateful for the amazing care he received at Sanford Medical and The Mayo Clinic. The doctors and nurses saved his life multiple times, giving him extra time with his family. That is a gift that can never be given a price. His final days at Sanford Palliative Care brought him peace and comfort.

Mike is survived by his children, Elissa Ron Bonsall and Nathan Pehler Christine Reimel, honorary daughter Shelly Smithson; grandchildren, Joshua Pehler Bonsall and Olivia Gail Smithson; brother, Al Sue Pehler; sisters, Suzy Grant and Carol Steve Boynton, and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his brother Richard Pehler, brother-in-law Joe Grant, and parents Eugenia and Henry Pehler.

Memorial Gathering: Sunday, August 16, 2015, from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 5:00 p.m. in Wright Funeral Home, Moorhead, MN.

Memorial Mass: Monday, August 17, 2015 at 4:00 p.m. in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Moorhead, MN.