Michael William Maher
Tuesday, March 31, 1942
Date of Death:
Sunday, October 3, 2021
Age:
79 years old
Tuesday, March 31, 1942
Date of Death:
Sunday, October 3, 2021
Age:
79 years old
Tuesday, March 31, 1942
Date of Death:
Sunday, October 3, 2021
Age:
79 years old
Michael William Maher
Michael William Maher of Rochester, Minnesota, aged 79, passed away peacefully in the early morning of October 3, 2021 at The Waters in Rochester, Minnesota. Mike lived with Parkinson’s Disease for 11 years. His passing was complicated by COVID-19.
Mike was born the son of James Patrick and Helen (Brazzle) Maher in Des Moines, Iowa on March 31, 1942 in Des Moines, Iowa. He was the beloved husband of Bonnie Jean (Jones) Maher. They were married at St. John’s Catholic Church on the campus of Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska as their graduation date approached. Married for 57 years, they lovingly raised three children: Tim Maher, Naples, Florida; Christine (Eric) Stahl, Rochester, Minnesota; and Tom (Cindy) Maher, Omaha, Nebraska.
Mike grew up in West Des Moines, Iowa, and graduated from Sacred Heart School and Dowling Catholic High School, class of 1960. While growing up, Mike loved baseball. His West Des Moines Little League team advanced to the Little League World Baseball Series in Ann Arbor, Michigan and made a grand arrival home aboard a train at the Valley Junction Train Depot. He also held his education at DCHS in high regard: the priests who influenced his life, teachers, and high school buddies.
After college graduation Mike made his career first with Hallmark Cards in regional sales, and spent many wonderful years with Morgan Stanley as a financial advisor. During these years he gave his all to his church, coaching his children’s and grandchildren’s sports activities, Rochester Catholic School System, and serving as treasurer of the St. Vincent DePaul Society at Church of the Resurrection.
He also annually hosted a Labor Day golf tournament with friends. Mike was an avid golfer participating in the Southeast Minnesota Senior Golf League, and the Lourdes High School Eagle Open.
His children and grandchildren are blest with a legacy of knowing that while a career is important and can yield great satisfaction, it is equally important to live life to the full in religious, personal, and leisure pursuits. Mike’s legendary wit was ever at the ready and added a layer of fun to conversation. His grandchildren especially appreciate that their grandfather consistently displayed a wonderful sense of balance between work and family. He loved his family unconditionally. He was a genuinely happy individual, and he believed in not having a tan line from your socks! Most importantly, he believed that faith and family come first, and to cherish good friends. His children say that their dad, “The Shamrock,” modeled generosity in his time with them and others, and believed in never going to bed angry.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Helen Maher, and daughter-in-law, Sue Rahman Maher.
In addition to his wife Bonnie, children Timothy, Christine (Eric), and Thomas (Cindy), Mike’s survivors include his loving grandchildren: Heather (John) Griesgraber, El Paso, Texas; Andrea (Shane) White, Beaverton, Oregon; James (Melissa) Maher, Naples, Florida; Kelsie (Michael) Kingstrom, Olivia, Minnesota; Alissa Stahl, Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Michael Maher, Omaha, Nebraska. Great-grandchildren include: Giselle, Gianna, and Gemma Griesgraber, Adelynne and Bandon White; and Logan Maher. His adoring sisters are Julie Melcher, West Des Moines, Iowa; and, Kathy Volcko, Marcellus, New York.
A celebration of life and funeral Mass will be scheduled at a later date, as well as a private family burial at St. Patrick Irish Settlement Cemetery near Cumming, Iowa.
Those wishing to send a memorial, please consider St. Vincent DePaul Society, Church of the Resurrection Conference, 1600 11th Avenue SE, Rochester, Minnesota 55904, or Lourdes Foundation: Scholarships, 1710 Industrial Drive, Rochester, Minnesota 55901
Condolences
The family of Michael William Maher has received the following condolences.
Bonnie and family,
Vickie and I were so sorry to hear about Mike's passing and wanted to express our deepest sympathy to your entire family. His obituary effectively captured the essence of Mike as a person. Every year for almost 20 years I looked forward to the Annual Labor Day Memorial Holiday Invitational Tournament (ALMHOIT) that Mike and the rest of the "executive committee" put together. While I always enjoyed the golf the real entertainment was Mike hosting the awards banquet and dinner. He was truly made for that role and always left everyone laughing. Although the coming days will be difficult hopefully you will be able to find comfort in all the joy he brought to your family as well as knowing he is no longer suffering. May he rest in peace.
Greg and Vickie Stolte
Dear Bonnie and family. We are truly saddened at the news of Mike's passing. May God grant him eternal peace and Our Blessed Mother grant the family the strength to continue without their captain. God bless you all.
Sandy & Jim
Deepest condolences to Mike’s family.
His life touched so many people.
Love and respect,
Jim Carroll
So very sorry to hear about Mike. Please accept our most sincere sympathies as we pray for his eternal rest and joy, and comfort for you, Bonnie, and your family. Call me when you can, and I'll call you in a few days. Love.
Bonnie, Tim, Chris, Tom and families:
I was so saddened to learn of Mike's death. Tim, Chris and Tom you grew up with the Gossman kids, playing sports and attending Lourdes together. Bonnie, I remember the days when we watched basketball games and other activities at St. Francis and Lourdes. Mike will be missed as a father, as a husband and a genuinely nice man who will be missed by many.
May he rest in peace.
Faline Gossman
Our sincere condolences. May your memories bring some comfort to you and your family. His smile and kindness will be missed. God Bless You!
Rest in peace old friend. Proud to have been your classmate
Paul Murphy, DHS 60
My condolences to your family. I remember many many many rounds of golf at the Eagle Open with Mike and Tom. Loved the conversations that started with ‘if we could of just made that one putt’. As well as the good conversations at TJ Maxx. Thoughts and prayers to your family.
Mike Ott.
I knew Mike well having attended both Dowling and Creighton with him. He was a witty guy, a fun guy and just a great guy to be around and from the obit it sounds like he shared those qualities deeply with his family. May Mike now Rest In Peace and my sympathy to his family.
I am so sorry for your loss. I enjoyed Mike so much at the Waters. Bonnie you are such a bright light and your love and dedication to your husband was so apparent. Thinking of your entire family. God Bless, Marni Harris
Prayers from a classmate. RIP
My prayers for your family in this time of loss. Mike was really good for us as the charter treasurer of our Society of St Vincent de Paul conference. He served the Society and those we serve with grace and blessings. Peace to you.
Our condolences to your family, what an incredible person Mike was. I have so many fond memories of him, he will truly be missed.
Joe Powers and all of us from Powers Ventures
Bonnie, Tim, Chris and Tom,
I am sorry to hear of Mike's passing. He was a great guy and will be missed by everyone! So full of passion, wit and kindness. You are in our thoughts.
Dave and Mary Rahman
Bonnie, Christine and family. I'm so very sorry to hear of Mike's passing. I absolutely loved him! It was my privilege to be his trainer. He brought joy to my life every single day I saw him. His humor, his willingness to try everything I asked of him, his fun spirit...all a blessing to me. I will continue to miss him as I have missed him these past 18+ months.
My deepest sympathy Bonnie and family. I will truly miss Mike and his frequent smile