Obituary of Mike Wolters

Michael Clarence Wolters, the son of Clarence and Pauline (Warntjes) Wolters, was born in Adrian, MN on January 31, 1957. He spent his childhood years near Lismore, MN. When Mike was in the tenth grade he moved to Worthington, MN with his family, and graduated from Worthington High School in 1975. He was united in marriage to Kathy Norton on April 4, 1981, in Melvin, IA. They were blessed with two children, Chris and Megan. The couple first made their home in Worthington, where Mike worked at Watland International, and then for a farmer near Bigelow, MN. They then moved to Hospers, IA, and he was employed at the Farmer's Co-op Oil Company in Hospers. In 1991, finally realizing his life-long dream to be a farmer, Mike and Kathy began farming north of Sanborn on the farm where they still reside. Mike had a true passion for farming—it was all he had wanted to do since he was a small boy. A hard worker, he put everything he had into all that he did. Despite the unpredictable schedule and long hours involved in farming, he always made time for his family. He was a very kind and caring man who enjoyed being involved in the community. In February of 2010, Mike was diagnosed with kidney cancer. True to his nature, he fought with all of his being until the Lord took him home on Saturday, June 19, 2010. He passed away peacefully at his home with his family at his side. He was 53. Mike was a faithful member of St. Andrew's United Methodist Church and Onyx Lodge #419. He had been a director on several boards, including the St. Andrew's Church Administration Board, Century Mutual Insurance, Farmer's Co-op Oil, and Farmer's Co-op Society. He was a trustee for Franklin Township. He delighted in watching sprint car racing. Mike is survived by his wife, Kathy, and their children, Chris and Megan, all of Sanborn; his mother, Pauline Wolters and brother Gene Wolters, both of Sioux Falls, SD; one sister, Nancy (Ken) Burns of Tacoma, WA; his mother-in-law, Joyce Norton, of Sanborn; two sisters-in-law, Mary Gibbons of Sanborn, and Nyla (Gregg) Hellinga of Ashton, IA, and his beloved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Clarence Wolters, one brother, Jacob John Wolters, his father-in-law, David Norton, and brother-in-law, Dan Gibbons. In Loving Memory of Michael C. Wolters Born ~ January 31, 1957 Died ~ June 19, 2010 Age ~ 53 years 4 months 19 days Funeral Service 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 22, 2010 St. Andrew's United Methodist Church Sanborn, Iowa Officiating ~ Pastor Thomas A. Connors Accompanist ~ Pat Wachtel Soloist ~ Eric Rozeboom "Great is Thy Faithfulness" Congregational Singing "Amazing Grace" "How Great Thou Art" Pallbearers Mike Verhoef Mike Van Engen Rod Rath Norm Rath Bill Postma Jim Morfitt Flower Attendants Robin Morfitt Linda Rath Ushers Galen Roskens Barney Buren Burial Roseland Cemetery ~ Sanborn, Iowa